ZEV mandate review launched as government consults on EV sales targets

The UK government has launched a consultation that could result in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets being softened for the period between 2027 and 2035, according to multiple reports. The review does not affect the underlying deadlines: the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates for new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars remain in place. What is under discussion is the proportion of electric car sales that manufacturers are required to achieve along the way to those deadlines.

The government said it wants the annual EV sales mix targets set out in the mandate to remain, in its words, pro-business and grounded in the real world. That framing reflects longstanding pressure from car makers and industry bodies, who have argued that the current intermediate targets are not achievable given where consumer demand and charging infrastructure currently stand.

The consultation will bring together car manufacturers, wider industry stakeholders and others to consider how those intermediate targets, covering each year from 2027 up to 2035, might be adjusted. Any changes would affect the obligations placed on brands selling vehicles in the UK, rather than the legal position of individual drivers. Buyers are not required to choose an electric car under the mandate; the requirements fall on the manufacturers and their sales volumes.

For drivers who are thinking about their next service, MOT or repair in the meantime, the practical costs of running a car remain the immediate priority. Garage.co.uk allows drivers to search for a trusted independent garage and book directly for MOTs, servicing and repairs, with no fees or commission involved.