Government relaxes EV van rule after pressure from manufacturers

alongside full hybrids and plug-in hybrid vans, responding to concerns about the challenges of van electrification.

The updated ZEV mandate will maintain the existing phase-out dates and headline trajectories for cars and vans – which include targets this year of 28% ZEV sales for new cars and 16% for vans.

But the Government is now increasing flexibility of the mandate for manufacturers up to 2030, so that more vehicles can be sold in later years when demand is higher.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said there was a huge opportunity to be harnessed, with the UK being the largest EV market in Europe, but added that the UK was easing pressure on the industry, giving greater freedom on how to meet targets,

He said: “Global trade is being transformed so we must go further and faster in reshaping our economy and our country through our Plan for Change. I am determined to back British brilliance. Now, more than ever, UK businesses and working people need a government that steps up, not stands aside.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the ‘ambitious package of strengthening reforms’ would protect and create jobs – making the UK a global automotive leader in the switch to EVs, while meeting Labour’s core manifesto commitment to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.

The changes come after months of warnings from Stellantis, Nissan and Ford among others, about the stringent rules, which led to Vauxhall confirming the closure of its Luton plant in February.

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