Car dealers say revised ZEV Mandate brings “breathing space” for electric car market

IN THE latest survey by Startline, more than half of dealers (53%) say the revised Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate is creating “breathing space” for new electric car sales.

The survey also showed that 41% believe the changes made show that the government has listened to the motor industry.

These included allowing hybrids to stay on sale until 2035, lower manufacturer fines for not meeting electric car production targets, and more flexible production credits.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “This amounts to a cautious welcome for the ZEV Mandate changes by dealers. They think the government has taken on board the concerns raised and taken actions that will at least buy some time. However, our research also indicates they have quite a long list of ongoing concerns about the electric car market.”

More support still wanted

Unsurprisingly, 45% of dealers believe the government will have to do more to support new electric car sales in the future and 35% that core problems stopping people electrifying – such as charging infrastructure – haven’t been addressed.

Also, 32% say the revisions don’t go far enough to have a big impact on new electric car sales and 32% that government support is also needed in the used electric car market.

Paul said: “Our reading of these results is that dealers think the ZEV Mandate changes are more of a holding pattern than a long-term solution. It could be that its targets and regulations need to be revisited periodically in response to real world market conditions, and the road to new car market electrification will be more of a bumpy one than once envisaged.”