ZEV mandate review launched: EV sales targets could be softened

The UK government has launched a formal consultation to consider softening the sales targets that car makers must meet under the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, though the key deadlines of 2030 and 2035 for phasing out new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars are set to remain in place.

The ZEV mandate requires car makers to sell a rising proportion of electric vehicles each year. According to multiple reports, the government is now willing to look at whether those annual sales-mix targets for the period 2027 to 2035 are set at the right level, saying it wants them to be "pro-business and grounded in the real world". The review comes after car makers argued the current targets are not achievable given where consumer demand actually sits today.

For everyday drivers, the consultation does not change anything immediately. You can still buy a new petrol or hybrid car now, and the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates remain the government's stated goal. What could change is how quickly manufacturers are required to shift their sales mix toward electric models in the years leading up to those deadlines, which may in turn affect the range of cars on offer and how aggressively dealers push EV deals.

The review involves the government consulting car makers, the wider automotive industry and other stakeholders before any changes to the targets are confirmed. No revised figures have been announced yet, so it is too early to say exactly how much flexibility manufacturers might be given or how that would affect car prices and choice on forecourts.