UK Committee Urges ZEV Mandate Review Before 2027 as EV Share Misses 33% Target
Updated
Updated · www.electrive.com · Jun 4
UK Committee Urges ZEV Mandate Review Before 2027 as EV Share Misses 33% Target
1 articles · Updated · www.electrive.com · Jun 4
Summary
A House of Commons Business and Trade Committee told the government to complete its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate review before 2027, warning current thresholds pose an “existential risk” to UK carmakers.
23.9% year-to-date BEV share remains well below the 2026 mandate target of 33%, even after May EV share rose to 27.3% in the strongest May car market since 2019.
160,662 new cars were registered in May, up 7.1%, helped by wider EV choice, sustained manufacturer discounting and government support including the Electric Car Grant.
SMMT backed the review call, saying carmakers are subsidising EV sales to meet rules, squeezing margins and risking competitiveness and investment if targets stay misaligned with demand.
95% of new car and van sales are envisioned as electric by 2030 under the UK’s latest Carbon Budget, while EVA England warned that reopening the mandate debate could create more uncertainty.
Facing an 'existential risk,' can Britain's car industry survive the government's aggressive push for an all-electric future?
With soaring repair costs and plummeting resale values, are EV grants pushing UK drivers toward a hidden financial crisis?
Can the UK Hit Its 2030 Zero Emission Vehicle Targets? Industry Warnings, Policy Risks, and the EV Demand Crisis
Overview
The UK's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate is facing significant challenges, with the automotive industry raising alarms that the targets are overly ambitious and could strain the transition to electric vehicles. Concerns are heightened by lagging battery electric vehicle registrations and anticipated tax changes that may further reduce demand. As a result, the industry is urgently calling for a re-evaluation of the mandate's timeline and quotas, with groups like the National Franchised Dealers Association lobbying the government to bring forward its planned review. This uncertainty is creating pressure for policy adjustments to ensure a smoother and more realistic shift to zero-emission vehicles.