The UK government has announced a fresh consultation on the ZEV mandate, though it says that it remains committed to reaching 100% EV sales by 2035. 

The consultation announcement has acknowledged that EV demand has not taken off in the way that the people who drafted the plans first thought, and will offer significant concessions to carmakers. 

The zero emission vehicle mandate was first introduced by then-prime minister Boris Johnson (three prime ministers ago) in 2020 and set out a 10-year plan to phase out petrol and diesel engines and require carmakers to sell increasing proportions of electric cars. 

The rules were tinkered with under Rishi Sunak in 2023 before Keir Starmer changed them back again in 2024, while Andy Burnham will presumably commit to whatever the consultation comes up with. 

Overall the legislation has proven successful in getting more EVs on the roads, alongside various government-backed incentives to try and reduce the cost impact of switching to electric technology that has remained until recently significantly more expensive than tradition combustion options. 

In the last year or so, however, the government has come under significant pressure from the car industry, which claims that it is being forced to sell EVs at punishingly low prices in order to remain competitive against Chinese carmakers who have industrial scale from the world’s largest car market and a 10-year head start on electric tech on their sides. 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: "It’s right we keep targets under review to ensure they’re practical and back British industry. The end goal hasn’t changed – but we need to take business with us on the journey and that’s exactly what we’re doing today by making sure industry has the chance to shape how we get there."

Proposals in the consultation include watering down 2030 targets to as low as a 50% mix of EVs (it’s currently set at 80%), giving manufacturers more leeway in how their individual targets are calculated and looking at how plug-in hybrid vehicles can be used to lower emissions in the interim. 

The consultation is set to run for 10 weeks until 23 October 2026. 

Electrifying founder Ginny Buckley said that certainty was the most important thing in the run up to 2035: “Debate around the ZEV mandate is increasingly polarised, but the biggest threat to EV sales is constant flip-flopping and a lack of clear direction.

“I’d rather see no change to the existing mandate, however, life is all about compromise. I understand the pragmatic case for a 2030 target closer to 60%, while recognising plug-in hybrids with meaningful electric range. Mild hybrids are different: they can’t drive on electric power alone and remain fundamentally petrol cars.

“Whatever government decides, it then needs to stick. Drivers need confidence in where we’re heading, and the charging industry needs certainty to keep investing ahead of demand.”