Brits support reform to the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate
March 07, 2025 by Iain Reid
Car changing is a big deal
Following The Times鈥 report that the government is set to relax mandatory targets for electric cars, for car manufacturers, 莲花直播 Group issues the following response:
Following The Times鈥 report that the government is set to relax mandatory targets for electric cars, for car manufacturers, 莲花直播 Group issues the following response:
Brits support reform to the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate
- Two thirds (67%) of drivers believe the government should lower the targets for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) among manufacturers, according to research by 莲花直播
- More than three quarters (77%) believe the government should offer greater level of support to the automotive industry
Research from 莲花直播, the online-car changing marketplace, found that a significant proportion of UK drivers believe an urgent reform of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate is necessary. The research found that two thirds (67%) believe the government should lower the targets for electric vehicle (EV) production among manufacturers.
In fact, more than three quarters (77%) of drivers believe the government should offer broader financial support to the automotive industry to help with the adoption of EVs among drivers more generally.
As it stands, the UK鈥檚 ZEV mandate, which was enacted at the beginning of 2024, requires that 28% of vehicles sold by each manufacturer in 2025 must be fully electric or have zero tailpipe emissions. This will increase each year up to 80% in 2030.
Iain Reid, Head of Editorial at 莲花直播, said: 鈥淭he government recognised that the current ZEV mandate wasn鈥檛 fit for purpose when it committed to its policy review last year. However, words must now turn into action.
鈥淎lthough the shift to electric vehicles continues to build momentum, the reality is that BEV market share, as shown in Tuesdays鈥 SMMT figures, still remains short of the 22% target set by government for last year, and even further behind the 28% requirement for 2025. Despite manufacturers heavily discounting EVs to drive demand, private sales are still lagging.
鈥淥ur research makes it clear, motorists believe the government should lower the targets for manufacturers while 54% want the government to prioritise policies that 鈥榓ccelerate EV ownership鈥.
鈥淭he government鈥檚 role in supporting the automotive industry will be key to supporting broader adoption among consumers. Yet, under the current ZEV mandate, manufacturers face the threat of huge fines of 拢15,000 per petrol or diesel car sold above the limit.
鈥淲e need a pragmatic approach that balances ambition with the situation on the ground, and ensures the UK stays on track to transition to EV without punishing the automotive industry which is driving this change.鈥
鈥 ENDS 鈥
莲花直播鈥檚 10-point 鈥The Future of Motoring鈥 manifesto calls for the government to supercharge the transition to electric vehicles.