Britain’s charging industry has pushed back against suggestions that the government could weaken its electric vehicle sales targets, warning that a less demanding mandate would send a negative signal to investors and could leave drivers dependent on public charging worse off.
The reported proposal would cut the share of new cars that must be zero-emission by 2030 from 80% to 60%. Ministers are said to be considering the change after manufacturers raised concerns about costs, jobs and consumer demand. The government has not made a final decision and says it remains committed to ending sales of new petrol- and diesel-only cars in 2030, with all new cars and vans zero-emission by 2035.
Charging costs add to pressure
The debate follows publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge and charging company Zest. It found that fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger operating rose by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could exceed £1 per kWh next year and says drivers without off-street parking would be hit hardest. It calls on Ofgem to fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment depends on confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He argued that speculation about weakening the zero-emission vehicle mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions of pounds to the UK’s electric future. Heap added that the transition requires long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and that fixed grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved. Further uncertainty, he said, risks delaying investment and making the UK less attractive than other markets.
Mandate flexibility debated
The ZEV mandate requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars. Carmakers have warned that demand is not keeping pace. EV advocates counter that the rules already offer considerable flexibility. According to public data from New AutoMotive, almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead, but ministers appear unable to agree on direction. She argued that rising EV uptake and a growing choice of affordable models make this a time to build confidence rather than weaken it. Buckley also said the government should not let private companies dictate environmental policy. She noted that the ZEV mandate already includes substantial flexibilities and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included.
Buckley said vans need separate consideration because electric cars and vans are moving at different speeds. Some manufacturers rely on surplus electric car credits to avoid fines on van sales, she said. Purchase grants and charging support already exist, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses’ practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Public charging and investment at stake
The dispute also raises questions for drivers who cannot charge at home. Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers switching to electric. He argued that keeping ambitious EV targets would help ensure access to more affordable electric cars, particularly for households without driveways, who often face the biggest barriers. A consistent policy framework, he said, would give drivers more choice and confidence.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure. A decision on the mandate is expected after further ministerial discussions this week.