Charging companies and electric vehicle advocates have challenged suggestions that the UK government could weaken its 2030 electric car sales target, arguing that a change of course would raise costs for drivers and deter investment in public charging.
According to reports, ministers are considering cutting the share of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%, following pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. The government insists no final decision has been taken and says it remains committed to ending sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030, with all new car and van sales required to be zero-emission by 2035. A decision is expected following further ministerial discussions this week.
Grid charges under scrutiny
The intervention follows publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge produced in partnership with charging firm Zest. It found that the fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live have risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could pass £1 per kWh next year, hitting drivers without off-street parking hardest, and calls on regulator Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He argued that speculation about weakening the ZEV mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future, and that the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions. Heap added that disproportionate fixed electricity grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved, and that together these pressures make the UK less attractive for investment compared with other markets.
Market data and mandate flexibility
The row has exposed disagreement within government over how far to relax the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets, while EV advocates argue the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations. Public data from New AutoMotive indicates that 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, adding that with increasing uptake and a growing choice of affordable electric models the priority should be building confidence rather than weakening it, and that the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy. She said 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 argued that vans do need consideration, because electric cars and vans are moving at very different speeds, leaving some manufacturers relying on surplus electric car credits to avoid fines on van sales; purchase grants and charging support already exist, she said, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses' practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Drivers without driveways
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at charging company char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch to electric. He argued that keeping ambitious EV targets in place would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways who often face the biggest barriers, and that a consistent policy framework would deliver the choice and confidence drivers need.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.