Full Breakdown
UK Government Mulls Weakening Zero-Emission Vehicle Targets
By Drooid · · How we work
Proposed Changes to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate
The Department for Transport is consulting on revising the 2030 interim targets for new-car sales. Current law requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030, with a full shift to electric by 2035. The consultation, which closed on Friday, could lower the 2030 car target to as low as 50%, while the 2035 goal remains unchanged.
Context and Market Data
Electric-vehicle (EV) adoption is already strong. More than half of all new cars sold in the UK last month were electric-or-hybrid, and about 28% of new car sales were electric-only. An Electric Vehicle Association poll found that 94% of the 2 million current EV drivers say they save money compared with petrol or diesel cars, and a similar share would choose an EV for their next purchase. Analysts note that EVs cost roughly £1,750 less per year to run, a figure that could rise as oil prices increase.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) warns that cutting the 2030 target to 50% would add roughly 147 megatonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions—about 58% of the projected emissions from the Rosebank oilfield off Shetland.
Official Government Position
The statement reaffirmed that the end goal remains unchanged: phasing out all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and achieving a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035, in line with the UK’s legally binding net-zero target.
Verbatim Quotes
- “With climate concern high among the public after extreme heat and persisting drought, and public support for net zero up above two-thirds, a decision to U-turn could look very odd,” — Jess Ralston, an analyst at the ECIU
- “Weakening the EV target would be another nail in the coffin of a livable future.” — Barry Gardiner, Labour MP for Brent West and former environment minister
- “We are reviewing the ZEV mandate to ensure it continues to support British industry and investment, and no decisions have been taken. Crucially, the end goal has not changed – we will phase out all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and be fully zero emission by 2035, and remain committed to our legally binding net zero targets.” — government spokesperson
