The UK government will today announce a consultation on the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate after backlash from car makers, according to reports.
The law states that car makers must achieve an EV sales mix of 22% in 2024 (rising incrementally each year to 80% by 2030) or face heavy fines for every non-electric car sold over the threshold.
However, EV sales are forecasted to achieve only an 18.5% market share this year.
A lack of support from the government – such as EV buying or owning incentives – has been the key criticism from car makers, who say that the targets are unachievable without help, especially amidst a general downturn in EV interest.
Talks held last week between car makers, transport secretary Louise Haigh and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the government wouldn’t budge on its 2035 ban date for new ICE cars but left the door open for amendments to the ZEV mandate.
Reports now suggest that the announcement of a consultation is imminent.
In response to the reports, Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK (the body that represents the UK’s major charger providers) said although she was pleased the consultation would “bring much needed clarity”, any changes to the EV sales mix targets “risks inducing the uncertainty that all sides agreed is the very enemy of the EV transition”.
She added it would be "foolish" to redraw the ZEV mandate, because “billions of pounds of investment in the EV charging infrastructure roll-out will be put at risk”.
Her comments contrast the statement made last week by Nissan, which called on the UK government to make urgent changes to the ZEV mandate, warning that failing to do so risked "undermining the business case" for future investment.
The Japanese company, which employs 7000 people in the UK, called the targets “outdated”.
Its European chief, Guillaume Cartier, demanded “urgent action”, as the mandate “risks undermining the business case for manufacturing cars in the UK and the viability of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in investment”.
More to follow.
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