Campaigners urge UK to avoid further weakening of EV sales rules
6 reported
Campaigners have urged the UK government to resist calls to further water down electric car sale rules, as an analysis reveals vehicles on UK roads will emit an extra 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030, mostly due to changes made last year. Parts of the car industry have asked ministers to review the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate for a second time, but environmental groups and the charging industry argue further weakening would undermine the transition from combustion engines. The ZEV mandate, introduced under the Conservatives in 2023, was weakened by Labour last year with loopholes called “flexibilities” that allow carmakers to sell more petrol-engine cars. Carmakers have responded with a 48% rise in sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which combine a small battery and a petrol engine. An industry analysis of updated Department for Transport forecasts shows an extra 59 billion miles driven using petrol and diesel compared with pre-change forecasts, adding 17 million tonnes of direct carbon dioxide. The government has committed to reviewing the ZEV mandate again by early 2027.
What’s reported
Campaigners urged the government to resist further weakening of electric car sale rules.
Analysis shows vehicles on UK roads will emit an extra 17 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030, mostly due to changes last year.
The ZEV mandate was introduced under the Conservatives in 2023 and weakened by Labour last year with flexibilities.
Carmakers have responded with a 48% rise in sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
An extra 59 billion miles will be driven using petrol and diesel compared with pre-change forecasts.
The government has committed to reviewing the ZEV mandate again by early 2027.
Key figures
Colin Walker, head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit thinktank
Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive
A government spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
