Attempts to dilute the UK government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate will undermine confidence in the UK’s transition to EVs, warned stakeholders in the sector after reports emerged on 14 June that a review of the policy could result in a weakening of the mandate.
Keir Starmer was reported to have intervened on the current trajectory of the policy, which is intended to result in 80% of new car sales being zero-emission by 2030. It is believed that this will be reduced to 50%, although any changes would be expected to follow consultation with industry and discussions with the devolved administrations
Critics would regard this as the second significant relaxation of the policy to have taken place under Labour’s watch, following the April 2025 announcement that additional flexibilities would be introduced to the mandate to extend the permitted sale of some non-zero-emission vehicles further into the transition period.
According to The Sunday Times, Starmer’s decision – seemingly at odds with the wishes of Ed Miliband – follows pressure from industry, the Unite union and Business Secretary Peter Kyle.1
Supporters of the policy review say the mandate is squeezing car manufacturers, with Unite’s Sharon Graham going so far as to suggest the current policy trajectory would leave the government “responsible for the decimation of the [UK’s] automotive industry”.
She said the policy was “significantly contributing to the loss of automotive jobs in Britain”.
Electric vehicle registrations have shown successive increases, although they remain below the levels required by the mandate. For example, BEVs accounted for 27.3% of new UK car registrations in May, compared to the 2026 mandate target of 33%.2 The Sunday Times reported that Chair of the business select committee Liam Byrne had said in May that car manufacturers were “spending billions discounting electric vehicles to stimulate demand” and that this was “impossible to sustain”.3
But stakeholders within sectors such as charging infrastructure warned that mixed policy signals might undermine the investment that has enabled the progress made to date.
Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK, said further weakening of the mandate could “slam the brakes on infrastructure rollout and send the entire transition into a tailspin”.
Anna Krajinska, UK director at Transport & Environment, said: “This policy is what’s driving billions in investment – from manufacturers to EV charging – to future-proof the auto industry as global markets go electric. Pulling back again now would send a clear signal that the UK is not serious about competing in the global EV race or having an auto industry.”
The Unite union welcomed reports of changes to the policy. General Secretary Sharon Graham described the expected move as a “huge victory”, adding: “The failure to act would have been an act of self-harm to a sector which is a jewel in the crown of UK manufacturing.”
The ZEV mandate came into force in 2024 following the Conservative government’s earlier commitment to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Starmer’s government has previously stated that it remains committed to the transition to zero-emission vehicles and to the ZEV mandate, while working with industry to ensure a successful transition.
A formal announcement on the outcome of the review is expected in the coming weeks.
Notes
[1] “PM overrules Miliband on electric car sales targets”, The Sunday Times, 14 June 2026.
[2] “New car market grows as consumers respond to choice and incentives”, SMMT, 4 June 2026. Link: https://www.smmt.co.uk/new-car-market-grows-as-consumers-respond-to-choice-and-incentives/
[3] The Sunday Times, “PM overrules Miliband on electric car sales targets”.
