ZEV mandate consultation launched by government

The government has launched a consultation on its zero emission vehicle mandate, which will require manufacturers to produce an increasing share of zero emission cars and vans, alongside a CO2 emissions regulation to ensure that new non-zero emission cars and vans do not become more polluting in future years.

The mandate will give manufacturers allowances to sell non-ZEV vehicles up to a given percentage, with the remainder of sales being zero-emission

Following the technical consultation on the design of the ZEV mandate for new cars and vans in June 2022 and the green paper on a new road vehicle CO2 regulatory framework in July 2021, the government is now seeking views on the final proposed regulatory framework.

The consultation specifically wants views on the level of ZEV uptake, how allowances and credits could be allocated and used, and derogations and exemptions. It also seeks views on how to regulate the non-ZEV portion of the fleet, and how the ZEV mandate and non-ZEV CO2 regulation will interact.

The proposed annual targets for ZE car sales is 22% in 2024, reaching 80% in 2030. "This trajectory is the same as that set out in the technical consultation, following overarching feedback that these targets were ambitious but achievable and can help deliver the carbon savings needed," the consultation document says.

With the acknowledgement that the zero emission van market is less mature, the proposed trajectory for vans is initially lower than for
cars, "but the targets increase over the decade on the path toward 100% in 2035". The consultation says that this proposed minimum trajectory is higher than that in the technical consultation but reflects feedback from a wide range of stakeholders which indicated that higher van
targets were preferred and feasible.

Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, comments: “The ZEV mandate will set the roadmap towards 2030 zero emissions transport - cutting harmful emissions for both people and the planet.

“The industry needs clarity and decisive action to place the UK EV market in pole position. We need to end our reliance on imported fossil fuels as we transition to zero emission vehicles powered by homegrown green energy.

“The devil will be in the detail, and this is our chance to further drive down costs and encourage new models to enter the market, giving drivers access to cheaper, greener, tech on wheels transport.”

Andrew Wescott, Director of Sustainability & Regulation at Addison Lee said: “The launch of the ZEV mandate is an important signal to the entire EV market in the UK. We know that more charging infrastructure is required and, if properly implemented, the ZEV mandate will give charge point operators the confidence to invest in the charging network, and fleet operators the ability to more readily shift to fully electric vehicles.
 
"The current lack of charging infrastructure and high energy prices are challenging the adoption of EVs by fleets and professional drivers. While today marks an important step by Government, it’s critical that charge point operators continue to work with private companies, such as ourselves, and the public sector to rapidly accelerate the rollout of affordable EV charging across the network.”

"The consultation closes on 24 May 2023 and the government will use this evidence to finalise the design of the ZEV mandate and CO2 emissions regulation."