Charging industry executives have pushed back against suggestions that the UK government may weaken its 2030 electric car sales target, warning that a policy reversal could deter investment and leave drivers facing higher costs.
Ministers are reportedly considering reducing the proportion of new cars that must be fully 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. It maintains its commitment 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.
The intervention came a day after an impact assessment, Reverse the Charge, published by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with Zest. It found that fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live had risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warned that rapid charging could exceed £1 per kWh next year, with drivers who lack off-street parking likely to be hit hardest, and called on Ofgem to urgently address the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Investment warning
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He argued that speculation about weakening the zero-emission vehicle mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain’s electric future. According to Heap, the transition requires long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and Ofgem’s fixed electricity grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved. He warned that further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and ultimately leaving drivers worse off, while making the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
The dispute follows reports of disagreement within government over how far to relax the ZEV mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing share of electric cars. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets. EV advocates counter that the existing rules already provide carmakers with considerable flexibility. Public data from New AutoMotive showed that almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric.
Vans and driver costs
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear direction, yet even ministers appeared unable to agree on the way forward. With EV uptake rising and more affordable electric models available, she argued that now is the time to build confidence rather than weaken it, adding that the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy.
Buckley said the ZEV mandate already includes substantial flexibilities, and analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included. She argued that vans require 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.
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch. He said keeping ambitious EV targets would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways, who often face the biggest barriers. Marston added that drivers need more choice and greater confidence, and that a consistent policy framework would help deliver both.
Investors have also warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure. The row raises particular questions for drivers who cannot charge at home and depend on public charging facilities.