UK government to soften 2030 EV sales targets after industry pressure
11 reported
The UK government is preparing to consult on less ambitious electric vehicle sales targets after lobbying by carmakers and unions. The proposed change would allow hybrid vehicles to make up a larger share of sales, potentially reducing the pure electric car mandate from 80% to 50% by 2030. The 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars would remain, meaning half of sales could be hybrids. The government’s 2035 deadline for phasing out new hybrids is understood to stay in place. This would be the second time the Labour government has weakened the rules since coming to power. Electric vehicle sales reached 27.3% of new registrations in May, below the 33% mandate for 2026. The Unite union called the reported change a “huge victory,” while charging sector groups warned it could harm infrastructure investment.
What’s reported
The government is preparing to consult on less ambitious EV targets after lobbying by car industry and unions.
Hybrid vehicles could be allowed to make up a far bigger proportion of sales, softening the pure electric mandate from 80% to 50% by 2030.
The 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars would still apply; 50% of sales would be hybrid electric.
The 2035 deadline for phasing out new hybrid cars is understood to remain in place.
This would be the second time the Labour government has weakened the rules since coming to power.
In May, 27.3% of UK new car registrations were battery electric, below the 33% mandate for 2026.
The Unite union said the mandate could cost up to £11,000 in fines per vehicle and threaten jobs.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the reported change as a “huge victory.”
James Alexander of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association said weakening targets could send warning signals.
Vicky Read of ChargeUK said it would “slam the brakes on infrastructure rollout.”
Anna Krajinska of Transport & Environment said pulling back would signal the UK is not serious about competing in the global EV race.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Peter Kyle, business secretary
Ed Miliband, energy secretary
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary
James Alexander, chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association
Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK
Anna Krajinska, UK director of Transport & Environment
Sources: The Guardian
