Charging companies and electric vehicle advocates have pushed back against suggestions that the UK government could weaken its 2030 electric car sales target, warning that drivers and investors would pay the price of added uncertainty.
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 says no final decision has been taken and that 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 after further ministerial discussions this week.
Grid charges under scrutiny
The warnings came a day after the publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge 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 Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said that investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty, arguing that speculation about weakening the ZEV mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future. He said the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and that Ofgem's disproportionate fixed electricity grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved. Further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and ultimately leaving drivers worse off, he added, making the UK less attractive for investment compared with other markets.
Market share and mandate flexibilities
Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive. EV advocates argue that the existing Zero Emission Vehicle mandate rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations. Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead, yet even ministers appear unable to agree on the direction. She argued that with growing EV uptake and a wider choice of affordable electric models, now is the time to build confidence, and that the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy.
Buckley added that the mandate already includes substantial flexibilities and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO₂ flexibilities are included. She said vans need separate 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, 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 firm char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch to electric. 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, he said, adding that a consistent policy framework would deliver more choice and greater confidence.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.