THE Government has launched consultation on how the electric car industry – OEMs and charging infrastructure suppliers – can meet the Labour manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out of combustion cars (24 December, 2024).
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the consultation would restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry so that they have the confidence to invest in the UK in the long-term and drive growth in the UK automotive industry.
The consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030.
“This consultation is focused on how, not if, we reach the 2030 target,” commented Heidi Alexander, who has provided a written statement to Parliament (see panel right).
“It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers.”
There will also be a separate consultation on reducing the barriers to greater zero emission van acceptance which is seen as crucial to help decarbonise the delivery sectors more quickly.
Further action revolves around a change in planning legislation to provide additional flexibility in England for the installation of off-street electric vehicle chargepoints.
Toby Poston, the incoming Chief Executive of the BVRLA, commented:
“This consultation gives us a valuable opportunity to realign the aims of the mandate with the realities being seen in the market today.
“Today’s announcement provides some festive cheer with the prospect of more certainty on hybrid vehicles, potential extra-flexibilities for OEMs struggling to hit the targets and much-needed action on charging infrastructure installation and ZEV van pain-points.
“The current Phase-out and ZEV Mandate targets are at major risk unless the government delivers more support and incentives to drive demand. Money is tight, but the Labour Government, which inherited these plans, is open to ideas.”
Written Statement to Parliament by Heidi Alexander MP
“The consultation is an opportunity to consider stakeholders’ preferences on technology choices and the types of vehicles permitted between 2030 and 2035 alongside ZEVs. It commits to maintaining the trajectories in the ZEV mandate while considering how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working and what steps can be taken to support domestic manufacturing and cement the UK’s position as one of the major European markets for ZEVs.”
Extract from Phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and support for zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition made on 06 January 2025.
In November, one in four new cars sold was an EV, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – a 58% increase on November 2023. And by the time the new car sales for the whole of 2024 were announced yesterday (06 January 2025), the government declared that it was confident that the ZEV Mandate had been hit by all OEMs.
Read more about meeting the ZEV Mandate and the December 2024 EV new car sales
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Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
