Charge provider Zest has spoken out against proposed changes to the zero emission vehicles mandate that sets strict targets for EV sales in the UK. 

The company has warned that weakening the goals would harm the private investment needed to keep growing the country’s charging infrastructure. 

The government is undergoing a consultation on changes to the ZEV mandate that would see targets for 80% electric sales in 2030 watered down. 

Zest says that the ZEV mandate is not just about setting targets for carmakers to meet, but also sends a signal to potential investors around the long-term growth that can be expected in the number of EVs on the roads. 

Zest CEO Robin Heap said: “If we weaken the demand signal, we risk weakening the investment that follows it. And that could leave the UK with a damaging chicken‑and‑egg problem – people won’t switch without convenient charging, but the infrastructure sector won’t invest at scale without confidence in future demand.”

The UK car industry body the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) has repeatedly warned the government that jobs will be lost if the targets are maintained, but Heap has cautioned that jobs will go if charge providers and other bodies don’t have the certainty they need to attract investment. 

“The UK can’t build tomorrow’s charging network by weakening today’s EV targets,” said Heap. “If government reduces the signal that tells investors how fast the market will grow, it risks creating uncertainty at precisely the moment we need more. Much of the investment comes from international investors.”

Zest says that it is calling on the government to maintain a steady path encouraging people to take up electric vehicles, saying that the industry needs the stability to enable continued growth. 

Zest is ranked eighth in the UK among charge providers by plug numbers according to charging platform Zapmap, with over 3,300 chargers.