Government announces ZEV mandate revisions

The UK government has revised targets of its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles each year. 

Revised targets stipulate that 22% of new cars sold in 2024 must be zero emission, as was previously the case. This will increase each year and by 2030 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans must be zero emission. This will rise to 100% by 2035. 

Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA), said, “These ambitious registration targets will create a difficult trading environment in conjunction with the recent decision to push back the ban of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.

“Franchised dealers will have to continue to push for electric vehicles to meet these targets whilst the recent five-year delay will likely damage consumers demand for electric vehicles. To adopt a pragmatic approach to net-zero targets, NFDA strongly urges the government to introduce attractive incentives to make electric vehicles more accessible for less-affluent motorists.”

She continued, “For vans, NFDA embraces the revised trajectories. This adjustment better aligns with market demand and establishes more attainable objectives within the sector.”