The UK government is considering setting a 60% target for fully electric cars among new vehicle sales in 2030 as part of its review of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The proposal would reduce the existing 80% requirement, while the remaining 40% of new car sales would need to consist of hybrid vehicles, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Under the reported proposal, new petrol-only and diesel-only cars would no longer be eligible for registration from 2030. The government has not yet announced a final decision, and the proposed target remains part of an ongoing consultation covering the period from 2027 to 2035.
Government Weighs Competing Industry and Climate Priorities
The Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the discussions, that the government has sought industry feedback on the proposed 60% battery-electric vehicle (BEV) target for 2030.
The proposal is reportedly being debated within the government. The business department is seeking greater flexibility for manufacturers facing competition and pressure to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, while the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is advocating for requirements that remain consistent with the UK’s climate objectives.
Some automakers had called for a lower target before the consultation began. Ford and Nissan reportedly supported reducing the 2030 requirement to between 40% and 50% fully electric vehicles. The reported 60% proposal would therefore represent a smaller reduction than some manufacturers had sought.
EV Market Growth Remains Below Future Targets
Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 26% of new car registrations in the UK this year, up from 22% in the previous year, according to the figures cited in the source report. Despite the increase, manufacturers have questioned whether demand can grow quickly enough to meet the mandate’s scheduled targets.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has argued that regulation can require manufacturers to supply zero-emission vehicles but cannot guarantee sufficient consumer demand. The industry body has also raised concerns about the use of discounts and other incentives to encourage EV purchases.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes has warned that relying on billions of pounds in incentives to sustain sales is not a viable long-term business model for the industry.
Existing ZEV Mandate Sets Increasing Annual Quotas
Introduced in 2024, the UK ZEV mandate establishes annual requirements for manufacturers to increase the proportion of zero-emission vehicles sold. The passenger-car targets have risen progressively, with further increases scheduled through the end of the decade.
| Year | ZEV mandate target for new car sales |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 22% |
| 2025 | 28% |
| 2026 | 33% |
| 2027 | 38% |
| 2028 | 52% |
| 2029 | 66% |
| 2030 | 80% under the existing schedule |
The 60% figure for 2030 is a reported proposal, not an adopted replacement for the current target. Targets for the period from 2031 to 2035 are also under review. The UK currently plans to end sales of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2035, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.
Consultation Could Change Compliance Rules
The consultation began in mid-August 2026 and is scheduled to close on October 23, 2026. Automakers, industry associations and other stakeholders have been invited to submit their views on the mandate’s requirements for 2027–2035.
The government has already adjusted elements of the original framework. According to the source report, the maximum fine for each non-compliant vehicle was reduced from £15,000 to £12,000, while manufacturers gained additional flexibility to meet their obligations, including mechanisms that allow compliance to be balanced across multiple years.
The outcome of the consultation will determine whether the government changes the pace of the transition, the compliance framework or both. Until a final policy is announced, the existing annual targets remain the basis for manufacturers’ planning.
