UK reopens talks on petrol and diesel car phase-out
Key Points
- The government has launched a consultation on the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, running until 23 October 2026.
- The 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and the 2035 zero-emission target for all new cars and vans stay unchanged.
- The review covers the annual sales targets manufacturers must hit on the way to those dates.
- Electric cars now account for more than 1 in 4 new sales, with EV sales up 45% on July last year.
- The Electric Car Grant takes up to £3,750 off a new EV and has gone to more than 160,000 drivers since launch.
The government opened a consultation on Friday (14 August) asking manufacturers, suppliers, charge point operators, dealers and drivers how the UK should reach its 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars.
The ZEV mandate sets the annual share of new sales that must be zero emission, and the consultation asks whether those yearly targets remain appropriate.
The government will end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and every new car and van must be fully zero emission by 2035. The UK and devolved governments launched the consultation jointly, and it runs until 23 October. It also delivers a commitment to review the mandate by 2027.
Manufacturers remain on track to meet their 2025 targets and have built-in flexibilities to help them do so. The government points to supply chain disruption, tariffs and trade uncertainty as the reason for testing whether the targets still work commercially.
“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 us on the journey and that’s exactly what we’re doing today by making sure industry has the chance to shape how we get there,” said Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary.
Electric cars now make up more than 1 in 4 new sales. July was the strongest month for the new car market since 2019, EV sales rose 45% on July last year, and more than 2 million electric vehicles are registered on UK roads.
The Electric Car Grant takes up to £3,750 off the cost of a new EV and has reached more than 160,000 drivers since it launched last July. Drivers who switch can cut running costs by up to £1,400 a year.
Government figures show new EV models are becoming increasingly comparable in price to petrol and diesel equivalents as the mandate pushes availability up.
Total government backing for the transition stands at £7.5 billion. That covers £4 billion for DRIVE35 projects and £3.5 billion for van, truck and car grants, the Electric Car Grant and charging infrastructure.
“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,” said Jonathan Reynolds, Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has backed the review. “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 jobs whilst delivering greater choice and affordability for motorists – the sooner, the better,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
A further £600 million will fund more charge points, adding to the 120,000 already on the public network and more than a million in homes and workplaces.
That sits alongside £400 million already committed to deliver more than 100,000 additional public chargers.
Home charging remains the cheapest option, saving around £1,400 a year on running costs.
Landlords, flat owners and renters can claim grants of up to £500 towards a home charger, almost halving the installation cost.
