UK opens review of electric vehicle sales targets as it maps path to 2035 zero-emission goal
The UK government is consulting industry on its electric vehicle sales mandate, keeping the 2030 petrol and diesel phase-out and 2035 zero-emission target while adjusting the route.
- more than 1 in 4
- 45%
- £7.5 billion
- over 2 million
What Happened
The UK government has launched a consultation on its zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, inviting vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, charge point operators, dealers, consumers and communities to shape the pathway to ending sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and requiring all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2035. The consultation opened on 14 August 2026 and will run until 23 October 2026. The government says it is keeping targets under review to ensure they are practical, back British industry, and remain grounded in challenging global economic conditions.
The review comes as the UK's EV transition accelerates. July recorded the strongest new car market since 2019, with more than 1 in 4 new cars sold now electric and EV sales up 45% compared with July last year. Over 2 million electric vehicles are now registered on UK roads. Manufacturers are currently on track to meet their 2025 targets, with built-in flexibilities, but the government cites supply chain disruption and tariff and trade uncertainty as reasons for the review.
The government says it is investing £7.5 billion to grow the market, boost EV manufacturing and build up the charging network, including £4 billion for DRIVE35 projects and £3.5 billion for grants, the Electric Car Grant and charging infrastructure. The Electric Car Grant offers up to £3,750 off a new EV and has helped more than 160,000 drivers since it launched in July 2025. Drivers who switch can save up to £1,400 a year on running costs, and home charger installation grants of up to £500 can almost halve the cost for landlords, flat owners and renters. A further £600 million is being invested in more charge points, building on 120,000 public chargers and over a million in homes and workplaces, with £400 million already committed to deliver more than 100,000 more public chargers.
“The UK EV market is strong – sales are up, British manufacturers and charge point operators are investing billions, alongside our backing of £7.5 billion, including our Electric Car Grant that has helped over 160,000 people make the switch. It’s right we keep targets under review to ensure they’re practical and back British industry. The end goal hasn’t changed – but we need to take business with ”
“The UK’s automotive sector is vital to our economy and future growth and we’re determined to keep it that way as we get on with reindustrialising Britain to deliver good growth in every postcode. This consultation is about listening to industry, examining the evidence and making sure the mandate continues supporting investment, innovation and competitiveness, so Britain’s car sector can thrive.”
“The automotive industry is fully committed to a zero-emission future, investing billions in new technologies, products and incentives. However, with the ZEV Mandate conceived under vastly different conditions, this welcome review is a timely opportunity to adjust the transition so it works for all. That means a commercially sustainable transition which supports UK competitiveness, investment and j”
UK government launches ZEV Mandate review consultation
Consultation closes
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars phased out
All new cars and vans required to be zero emission
Why this matters
The review decides how quickly carmakers must shift to electric vehicles, affecting what models are available and at what price for UK buyers. The government says the market is strong — more than 1 in 4 new cars sold are electric and EV sales rose 45% — but wants to keep targets 'practical' amid supply chain disruption and tariff uncertainty. Manufacturers, suppliers, charge point operators, dealers, consumers and communities are all invited to respond.
Terms in This Story
- ZEV mandate
- A UK regulation requiring manufacturers to sell an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles each year.
- zero emission vehicle (ZEV)
- A vehicle that produces no tailpipe emissions, such as a battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.
- charge point
- A facility for recharging an electric vehicle, commonly called an EV charging station.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.