ZEV mandate ‘confirmed’ despite delay to 2030 ICE ban
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has confirmed the ZEV mandate which will see car manufacturers face strict sales targets for EVs.
Badenoch confirmed the ZEV mandate to the BBC, which will require automakers to ensure at least 22% of all cars sold are electric next year, with that number increasing each year, with the target expected to reach 80% by 2030.
Should the manufacturers fail to hit those targets, they will be slapped with fines of £15,000 per car.
The news follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement that the UK’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be pushed back to 2035.
In his announcement, Sunak said he was bringing Britain’s policies in line with the likes of Germany, France and parts of the US.
Sunak said: “I’m announcing today that we’re going to ease the transition to electric vehicles. You’ll still be able to buy petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035. Even after that, you’ll still be able to buy and sell them second-hand.
“We’re aligning our approach with countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada, Sweden, and US states such as California, New York and Massachusetts and still ahead of the rest of America and other countries like New Zealand.”
Despite the U-turn, Sunak insisted the UK remains on course to reach Net Zero by 2050: “This country is proud to be a world leader in reaching Net Zero by 2050. There will be resistance, and we will meet it. Because I am determined to change our country and build a better future for our children. Nothing less is acceptable.”
The government has yet to officially confirm the ZEV mandate, or the specific details, but Badenoch told the BBC that the government will keep “a mandate in place that hopes by 2030 80% of vehicles will be electric vehicles.”
