Labour to fast-track 2030 petrol and diesel car ban review in 'realistic' move

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed the Government will speed up its review of the UK's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate after carmakers warned they are struggling to meet current targets.

Speaking to the Transport Committee, Ms Alexander said she wants the review completed within the next six months instead of waiting until 2027.

She admitted the industry is facing difficulties under the current rules and would like to complete the review of the ZEV mandate due in 2027.

"I would like to get that completed in the next six months," she shared. The Department for Transport has already started early talks with vehicle manufacturers as part of the faster review.

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However, Ms Alexander stressed the Government is not planning to delay the ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

"There is no suggestion that the 2030 or 2035 dates will change," she told MPs. The UK will still ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, while new hybrid cars will be phased out by 2035.

Instead, the review will examine how the ZEV mandate works and whether changes are needed to help manufacturers reach those targets.

The ZEV mandate sets annual quotas for the number of electric vehicles manufacturers must sell. While this year's headline target is 33 per cent, firms can earn credits in different ways.

Ms Alexander explained manufacturers can gain credits by cutting emissions from their non-electric models or borrow credits from future years if they expect stronger EV sales later on.

Some companies have also carried over spare credits from previous years. Car makers have questioned whether the current path towards 80 per cent EV sales by 2030 is realistic.

Ms Alexander said manufacturers had told ministers: "If we're selling, say, around 26 per cent this year, how realistic is it for us to get to 80 per cent? Would it be better if that was slightly lower?"

Before any changes can be made, the Government will need to consult the devolved administrations.

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Ms Alexander said she wanted to hold "meaningful" discussions with ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before launching a public consultation. "We do not want a ZEV mandate that applies to only one nation of the UK," she said.

Despite concerns from manufacturers, EV sales continue to grow. Around 27 per cent of all new cars sold in May were electric, up 34 per cent compared with the same month last year.

Ms Alexander also said March was a record month for EV sales. The used EV market has also been expanding rapidly.

Department for Transport Permanent Secretary Jo Shanmugalingam told MPs second-hand EV sales have risen by 46 per cent, while cars aged between three and five years are now the fastest-selling vehicles on Auto Trader.

The Government explained charging infrastructure is also continuing to improve. There are now around 120,000 public charge points across the UK, with funding in place for another 100,000.

Ms Alexander explained a review into the cost of public charging will be reported later this year, looking at concerns drivers without home chargers often pay more to charge their vehicles.

The Government also said funding for new charging infrastructure takes into account rural communities and deprived areas to help ensure nationwide access.

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