Ministers are considering loosening the UK's electric vehicle sales targets in a move that campaigners warn could stall the growing popularity of EVs, push up driving costs for households and undermine Britain's climate commitments.

Under the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate, all new cars and vans sold from 2035 must be fully electric, with an interim target requiring 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans to be zero-emission by 2030. A consultation that closed on Friday is understood to be weighing whether to cut the 2030 car target to 70%, or as low as 50%, although the 2035 end date is expected to survive.

Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), shared with the Guardian, suggests that combined with earlier concessions allowing more hybrid sales, the watered-down target could generate more emissions than burning all the gas from the newly approved Jackdaw field. A reduction to just 50% EV sales by 2030 could add roughly 147 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent — about 58% of the likely emissions from the contested Rosebank oilfield.

The potential U-turn comes despite prime minister Andy Burnham reaffirming this week, in a Guardian article, his commitment to the UK's 2050 net zero target. Government sources also suggested the Rosebank oilfield decision may go against approval, even as Jackdaw was waved through.

ECIU analyst Jess Ralston said weakening the mandate would help neither manufacturers nor drivers, noting that EVs can save motorists around £1,750 a year, a figure likely to grow as oil prices climb. "With climate concern high among the public... a decision to U-turn could look very odd," she said, adding that ministers have spoken of freeing families from the "fossil fuel rollercoaster" while apparently moving in the opposite direction.

Labour MPs are split. Chris Hinchliff, MP for North East Hertfordshire, called any weakening "another nail in the coffin of a livable future," while Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West, warned that flip-flopping punishes companies that invested early to comply while rewarding "lazy competitors."

A government spokesperson said the mandate review aims to "support British industry and investment," insisting no decisions have been made and that the 2030 petrol and diesel phase-out and 2035 zero-emission goal remain intact.

Meanwhile, EV sales continue to climb, with more than half of new UK car sales last month electric or hybrid, and 28% fully electric. Surveys show 94% of EV drivers report saving money and would choose electric again.

Source: The Guardian

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