UK government set to cut 2030 electric vehicle sales target
- The government is expected to lower the 2030 EV sales target to 60%.
- Current rules require 80% of new car sales to be electric by 2030.
- Cabinet ministers remain divided on the appropriate target level.
- Carmakers cite supply-chain issues and low demand for the mandate change.
- The 2035 goal for 100% zero-emission new car sales remains unchanged.
This change represents a decrease of about one-quarter from the current 80 percent requirement.
The Guardian reported the expected policy change, citing official government sources. Reuters and other news outlets reported the story on Sunday and Monday, citing the Guardian.
Current mandate and August consultation options
The existing mandate, introduced in 2024, requires 33 percent of new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles in 2026. This requirement rises to 80 percent by 2030, with a phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
The government opened a consultation in August to review these specific targets. Officials offered five options, including keeping the 80 percent target unchanged or extending existing flexibilities until 2034.
The consultation also proposed lowering the 2030 sales target to 70 percent, 60 percent, or 50 percent.
Cabinet divisions over target levels
Ministers remain divided on the future of the electric vehicle mandate. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds favors reducing the 2030 target to 50 percent. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander prefers a target of about 60 percent.
Others, including Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Miatta Fahnbulleh, want the government to keep the original 80 percent goal. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is stepping back from the decision due to a conflict of interest involving his wife's role at an electric vehicle charging network.
Louise Haigh is expected to settle the dispute after a meeting this Wednesday. Insiders say Haigh is likely to approve a 2030 target of about 60 percent and extend current flexibilities until 2034.
Industry pressure and performance concerns
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders called for substantive changes to the mandate targets to better reflect consumer demand.
Government maintains commitment to 2035 zero-emission goal
Downing Street insists no final decision has been made regarding the electric vehicle target. A government spokesperson told Reuters the government remains united in its commitment to the zero-emission vehicle mandate.
Officials reaffirmed that the 2030 phase-out for new petrol and diesel cars and the 2035 zero-emission goal for all new cars and vans remain unchanged. A government source told the BBC the issue would be approached in a "pragmatic and balanced" way.
Environmental and economic impact warnings
The BBC noted a steeper cut could be interpreted as the government prioritizing economic concerns over environmental ones.
Brennan added that a change would damage investor confidence after the third alteration in three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
- UK Government Expected to Cut Its 2030 Electric Car Target This Week (aroundprague.cz)
- Government's EV targets expected to be reduced this week (bbc.com)
- UK Electric Vehicle Sales Target: UK Government to Slash 2030 Electric Vehicle Sales Target to 60%, ETAuto (auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com)
- UK government expected to cut 2030 EV sales target to 60%, Guardian reports (sg.finance.yahoo.com)
- UK government expected to cut 2030 EV sales target to 60%, Guardian reports | live (live.euronext.com)
- Britain expected to cut 2030 EV sales target to 60% ... (reuters.com)
Add NewsPulse Time as a preferred source on Google