Labour has confirmed that an announcement on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate will be made later this spring, following extensive consultation with car manufacturers.
Transport Under-Secretary Lilian Greenwood MP revealed the timeline during Parliamentary questions today, assuring MPs that the Government has been carefully considering industry feedback.
The announcement comes as the Government continues the transition to electric vehicles across the UK, with the car sector required to have at least 28 per cent of sales be electric by the end of the year before moving to 100 per cent in 2035.
Following a consultation that launched last year, Labour could look to push the deadline forward by five years to 2030.
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Greenwood told the Commons that she and the Transport Secretary have met with "95 per cent of vehicle manufacturers" during the consultation period, which ran from December 2024 until February this year, to gather views on how the 2030 date would impact them.
The forthcoming announcement will provide crucial clarity for the automotive sector as it adapts to the Government's ambitious targets.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander criticised the previous Government for "moving goalposts on phase out dates", which she claimed created doubt for investors and put billions in automotive investment at risk.
The consultation aimed to restore clarity for manufacturers and confidence for charging infrastructure investors. Alexander confirmed earlier this year that no new petrol or diesel cars would be sold after 2030.
The transition was described as "not just an environmental necessity but an opportunity for the UK to lead in cutting-edge technologies."
To help more drivers transition away from petrol and diesel cars, the Government has boosted the UK's electric vehicle infrastructure, with over 75,000 public charging devices now available.
Greenwood added: "Standard electric vehicles also receive favourable tax rates and targeted grants supporting electric vans, taxis and wheelchair accessible vehicles."
A new charging point is added to the network every 29 minutes, according to figures cited by Greenwood in Parliament. Charge point numbers have increased by 45 per cent in rural areas over the past year, addressing concerns about regional disparities.
During the House of Commons session, the question of when industry could expect clarity on the ZEV mandate was raised directly in Parliament by Labour MP Matt Western.
"Can the Minister just update us on the ZEV mandate consultation and when the sector can expect an outcome from it?" the Warwick and Leamington MP asked.
Greenwood acknowledged the "global challenges facing the automotive industry" in her response. She said: "We're currently considering very carefully the representations that they and others have made, and we'll be making a further announcement later in the spring."
January's consultation document explained that the transition "promises cleaner air and quieter streets, enhancing the quality of life in our communities".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The Government has pledged over £2.3billion to support UK manufacturers and consumers in the transition to electric vehicles.
From April 1, Vehicle Excise Duty rates will change, with electric car owners set to pay tax for the first time. Despite only paying £10 for first-year rates, from the second year, they will pay the same amount as petrol and diesel drivers at £192, which has been condemned by some industry experts.
A Government spokesperson told GB News: "We recognise the global challenges car manufacturers face and have listened to their concerns by consulting on reinstating the 2030 phase out date of new petrol and diesel car sales whilst also protecting jobs - a decision supported by a majority of manufacturers who have been working towards this date, and are on track to meet their ZEV mandate targets.
"One in four of all cars sold in February was electric, and last year saw a record 382,000 EVs sold – the highest in Europe."
Find Out More...
Transport Under-Secretary Lilian Greenwood MP revealed the timeline during Parliamentary questions today, assuring MPs that the Government has been carefully considering industry feedback.
The announcement comes as the Government continues the transition to electric vehicles across the UK, with the car sector required to have at least 28 per cent of sales be electric by the end of the year before moving to 100 per cent in 2035.
Following a consultation that launched last year, Labour could look to push the deadline forward by five years to 2030.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Greenwood told the Commons that she and the Transport Secretary have met with "95 per cent of vehicle manufacturers" during the consultation period, which ran from December 2024 until February this year, to gather views on how the 2030 date would impact them.
The forthcoming announcement will provide crucial clarity for the automotive sector as it adapts to the Government's ambitious targets.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander criticised the previous Government for "moving goalposts on phase out dates", which she claimed created doubt for investors and put billions in automotive investment at risk.
The consultation aimed to restore clarity for manufacturers and confidence for charging infrastructure investors. Alexander confirmed earlier this year that no new petrol or diesel cars would be sold after 2030.
The transition was described as "not just an environmental necessity but an opportunity for the UK to lead in cutting-edge technologies."
To help more drivers transition away from petrol and diesel cars, the Government has boosted the UK's electric vehicle infrastructure, with over 75,000 public charging devices now available.
Greenwood added: "Standard electric vehicles also receive favourable tax rates and targeted grants supporting electric vans, taxis and wheelchair accessible vehicles."
A new charging point is added to the network every 29 minutes, according to figures cited by Greenwood in Parliament. Charge point numbers have increased by 45 per cent in rural areas over the past year, addressing concerns about regional disparities.
During the House of Commons session, the question of when industry could expect clarity on the ZEV mandate was raised directly in Parliament by Labour MP Matt Western.
"Can the Minister just update us on the ZEV mandate consultation and when the sector can expect an outcome from it?" the Warwick and Leamington MP asked.
Greenwood acknowledged the "global challenges facing the automotive industry" in her response. She said: "We're currently considering very carefully the representations that they and others have made, and we'll be making a further announcement later in the spring."
January's consultation document explained that the transition "promises cleaner air and quieter streets, enhancing the quality of life in our communities".
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The Government has pledged over £2.3billion to support UK manufacturers and consumers in the transition to electric vehicles.
From April 1, Vehicle Excise Duty rates will change, with electric car owners set to pay tax for the first time. Despite only paying £10 for first-year rates, from the second year, they will pay the same amount as petrol and diesel drivers at £192, which has been condemned by some industry experts.
A Government spokesperson told GB News: "We recognise the global challenges car manufacturers face and have listened to their concerns by consulting on reinstating the 2030 phase out date of new petrol and diesel car sales whilst also protecting jobs - a decision supported by a majority of manufacturers who have been working towards this date, and are on track to meet their ZEV mandate targets.
"One in four of all cars sold in February was electric, and last year saw a record 382,000 EVs sold – the highest in Europe."
Find Out More...