The UK government has launched a review of its Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, inviting manufacturers, suppliers, charging companies, dealers and motorists to comment on how the transition to zero-emission vehicles should develop.

The consultation remains open until 23 October 2026. The main commitments have not changed. Sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel are still due to end in 2030, while all new cars and vans are expected to be zero emission by 2035.

Why the Mandate Is Being Reviewed

The ZEV Mandate requires manufacturers to make an increasing share of their new vehicle sales zero emission.

The government says the policy has helped expand EV availability, but it now wants to determine whether annual targets remain realistic amid supply-chain pressures, changing trade conditions and the substantial investment required to transform vehicle manufacturing.

The review is therefore focused on the route towards the existing targets rather than changing the final destination.

EV Demand Continues to Grow

More than one in four new cars sold in the UK are now electric, according to government figures published with the consultation.

In July 2026, EV sales were 45% higher than in July 2025, while more than two million electric vehicles are now registered on UK roads.

Financial incentives remain part of the transition. The Electric Car Grant provides eligible buyers with support equivalent to approximately €4,300 towards the cost of a new EV.

The government says more than 160,000 motorists have already benefited from the programme.

Drivers able to charge at home could save the equivalent of approximately €1,600 per year in running costs compared with conventional vehicles.

Investment Worth Billions

Government support for the transition totals approximately €8.6 billion.

Around €4.6 billion is allocated to DRIVE35 projects aimed at supporting automotive manufacturing and technology development.

A further roughly €4 billion covers vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure and support for cars, vans and trucks.

Charging infrastructure is another major focus. Around 120,000 public charging points are already available across the UK, alongside more than one million chargers installed at homes and workplaces.

The government is providing approximately €690 million for further charging expansion, in addition to earlier investment equivalent to around €460 million intended to support more than 100,000 additional public chargers.

Support for Home Charging

Renters, apartment owners and landlords can also receive assistance with installing residential charging equipment.

Available grants can cover up to approximately €575 of installation costs.

Expanding access to residential charging is important because home charging generally offers one of the most economical ways to operate an electric vehicle.

Industry Wants Greater Flexibility

The automotive sector broadly supports the transition to zero-emission mobility but argues that regulation must reflect actual consumer demand and commercial realities.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes welcomed the review, arguing that the market conditions under which the mandate was originally designed have changed significantly.

For manufacturers, the central issues include affordability, competitiveness, investment and maintaining employment while EV production increases.

What Happens Next

The consultation closes at 11:59 pm on 23 October 2026. The government will also hold discussions with manufacturers and other industry participants before deciding whether annual requirements or other elements of the mandate need adjustment.

The UK is therefore not reconsidering its move towards zero-emission vehicles. Instead, the review is about finding a transition pace that supports EV adoption while protecting affordability, investment and the competitiveness of the domestic automotive industry.

All monetary values have been converted into euros using the latest available ECB GBP/EUR reference-rate data.