The government is reportedly preparing to ease its electric vehicle (EV) sales requirements in the ZEV mandate after sustained pressure from car manufacturers and trade unions.

In 2024, ministers reaffirmed plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with the continued sale of hybrid vehicles until 2035, alongside ICE, hybrid and PHEV vans. The ZEV Mandate requires manufacturers to increase the proportion of zero-emission vehicles they sell each year, with financial penalties for those that fail to meet the targets.

When introduced in 2024, the scheme required 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by manufacturers to be electric. The targets rose to 28% for cars and 16% for vans in 2025, and are set to increase again in 2026 to 33% of cars and 24% of vans. Under the current framework, 80% of all new cars sold in the UK must be fully electric by 2030.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has repeatedly urged the Government to review the targets, citing concerns over weak consumer demand and the heavy discounts manufacturers have had to offer to boost EV sales.

The call was echoed last week by Unite, which warned that the current targets could threaten thousands of jobs across the UK automotive industry. The union argues that the existing mandate is placing significant strain on manufacturers and should be revised.

Although ministers have consistently resisted calls to bring forward the formal review of the ZEV Mandate, currently scheduled for 2027, reports suggest the Government is now considering a consultation on lowering the targets in the coming weeks.

According to reports first published by the Sunday Times, the government is expected to hold discussions with automotive industry representatives this week as part of a potential policy shift.