UK risks 'higher costs and greater energy insecurity' by weakening electric car targets, report warns

Experts have criticised the UK automotive industry's calls for a review of electric car targets, suggesting that more support needs to be provided for the transition away from petrol and diesel.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate outlines that manufacturers must have a minimum percentage of sales come from electric cars, with a 33 per cent target by the end of this year.

Targets will continue to change every year, before reaching 80 per cent of cars and vans by the end of the decade and 100 per cent in 2035, when only zero emission cars will be on sale.

Some industry voices, including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), have called for the Government to review the ZEV mandate to guarantee the successful future of the car sector.

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Despite this, experts are now suggesting that ZEV mandate fears may be overstated, especially as demand for electric cars continues to grow every month.

SMMT data shows that more than 160,000 new cars were sold in the UK in May, as electric cars captured 27.3 per cent of the market, with almost 44,000 new registrations.

While sales of petrol and diesel vehicles continue to fall year-on-year, electric cars and plug-in hybrids are seeing impressive annual growth of 34.2 per cent and 23.9 per cent respectively.

Autotrader data shows that electric cars attract more consumer enquiries than any other new car type, especially as drivers are put off by soaring fuel prices.

Tim Dexter, UK vehicles policy manager at Transport & Environment, said: "Carmakers that moved early, like Renault, are now gaining market share in the UK and globally thanks to great new EV models.

"Those that delayed are not victims of policy; they are betting on political backtracking. That is not a strategy, it is a gamble that risks leaving them behind in a rapidly electrifying global market."

Fresh research from New AutoMotive's Electric Car Count shows that an impressive 37 per cent of Renault's total UK sales are electric, the second highest total of the top 16 best-selling brands.

In 2026 so far, the French automaker has registered 10,816 new electric cars, with popular models including the Renault 4, Renault 5, and Twingo, making up almost 4.5 per cent of the total UK EV market.

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Other manufacturers are also seeing large increases in electric car sales year-on-year, including BYD (74.3 per cent rise), Ford (58.9 per cent rise) and Kia (37.6 per cent rise).

T&E have warned that making any changes to the ZEV mandate could have a disastrous impact on the UK's historic automotive legacy.

It noted that changes could derail investments from carmakers into the UK, with other European nations being chosen to lead the transition to electric mobility.

Mr Dexter highlighted the impact of recent fuel price shocks as a key boost for electric car sales, as drivers continue to face near-record prices for both petrol and diesel.

Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of February, fuel prices have soared by more than 20 per cent for petrol and a concerning 34.5 per cent for diesel at its peak.

The expert concluded: "This is not just about emissions, it is about shielding consumers from volatile oil markets, cutting reliance on imports, and future-proofing the UK against further shocks.

"Weakening policy now risks locking drivers into higher costs and greater energy insecurity at exactly the wrong time.

"If Ministers weaken policy, it will be households that ultimately pay the price."

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