Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
UK ministers expected to cut electric car sales targets
The UK government is expected to cut its target for electric car sales this week, though it says no decision has been made.
The current rule requires electric cars to make up 80% of new car sales by 2030.
The target is part of a plan to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and make all new car and van sales zero-emission by 2035.
Carmakers say the interim targets are hard to meet and want more flexibility, while environmental groups and some Labour MPs fear a cut would weaken climate action.
The mandate is expected to deliver nearly 14% of the UK’s planned emissions reductions between 2028 and 2032, making its future important to the country’s climate goals.
Ministers are expected to settle the issue after a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday, with Louise Haigh due to finalise the plan.
The scale of any cut remains undecided, and the government says it remains committed to the 2030 phaseout and 2035 zero-emission sales goal.
The UK government is expected to reduce its 2030 target for electric car sales this week, but says no decision has been made.
The current target requires electric cars to make up 80% of new UK car sales by 2030.
A cut would likely be welcomed by carmakers but opposed by environmental groups and some Labour MPs.
Ministers are weighing industry concerns about meeting the targets against the policy’s role in reducing emissions.
The government says it remains committed to ending sales of new cars relying solely on petrol and diesel by 2030 and to zero-emission new car and van sales by 2035.
- Who
- The UK government is expected to reduce its electric vehicle sales target.
- What
- Ministers are considering a cut to the target of 80% of new cars being electric by 2030. No decision has been made.
- When
- A decision is expected this week. Louise Haigh is expected to finalise the plan after a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Carmakers say the interim targets are difficult to meet. Environmental groups and some Labour MPs warn that weakening them could harm climate goals.
Carmakers and industry groups
Environmental groups and some Labour MPs
Target levels
Carmakers and industry groups
Carmakers say interim targets are unattainable and have called for changes and greater flexibility.
Environmental groups and some Labour MPs
They argue the mandate should stay to protect climate goals and support electrification.
Effect of a cut
Carmakers and industry groups
A reduction would relieve pressure on carmakers.
Environmental groups and some Labour MPs
A reduction could threaten long-term electrification and the UK’s climate goals.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced the policy to phase out petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Rishi Sunak pushed the phase-out timeline back to 2035.
The Burnham government set up a review of the electric vehicle sales targets.
Louise Haigh is expected to finalise the plan after a Downing Street meeting.
Ministers are expected to make a decision on reducing the targets.
- Current 2030 target
- 80% of new cars sold in the UK must be electric
- 2035 target
- 100% of new car and van sales are to be zero emission
- Expected cut
- About a quarter, according to government sources cited by the Guardian
- 2026 sales target
- 33%
- Battery EV share
- 26.6% of new car sales in the first 10 months of the year
3 sources
What people are saying
The gap between demand and mandated targets continues to widen.
The upcoming decision on the ZEV [zero emission vehicle] mandate will have a huge climate impact, possibly the biggest one that’s on the PM’s desk.
We need the ZEV mandate to stay, and Rosebank to be rejected.
pragmatic and balanced