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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/labour-cutting-electric-car-targets-threaten-economy",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-16T08:45:28.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "M25 havoc: Huge lorry blaze forces closure of busy motorway as firefighters tackle massive fire",
    "Motorhomes and campervans targeted by local parking changes as staycation surge hits larger vehicles",
    "Fuel duty changes launching today could have huge impact on thousands of farmers",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nExperts are calling upon the Government to avoid slashing electric car targets, warning that the UK could miss out on hundreds of billions of pounds over the next decade.\n\nA new report has outlined that the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate could become one of the nation's most successful market-based policies, with the potential to generate £385billion for the economy by 2035.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt comes amid reports that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is planning on relaxing targets in the ZEV mandate amid pressure from manufacturers and businesses.\n\nThe ZEV mandate rules that automakers need to have 33 per cent of total car sales come from electric vehicles by the end of the year, with targets increasing every year.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBy 2030, this target will rise to 80 per cent for cars and 70 per cent for vans, before only zero emission vehicles can be sold from 2035 onwards.\n\nHowever, The Times reports that Labour is planning on reducing the 2030 target from 80 per cent to just 50 per cent amid concerns that manufacturers could turn their back on selling in the UK.\n\nDespite this, a report from New AutoMotive states that the ZEV mandate uses competition to drive down costs and increase demand for electric cars, rather than relying on Government subsidies.\n\nIt notes that more than £41billion of investment has been committed to the UK automotive sector since 2020, including £8.5billion towards the UK battery supply chain.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe \"A-Zev: The Road to Electric\" report emphasises that the ZEV mandate has helped secure a forecasted £385billion contribution to the UK economy.\n\nFurther estimates suggest that 334,000 jobs will be created across the electric vehicle sector over the next nine years.\n\nElectric car sales are also growing at a substantial rate, with May seeing new registrations spike by 34.2 per cent year-on-year as almost 44,000 new vehicles hit the road.\n\nAlmost 470,000 battery electric cars were sold in the UK last year, nearly doubling pre-mandate levels, with more than 220,000 already sold in the first five months of 2026.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * M25 havoc: Huge lorry blaze forces closure of busy motorway as firefighters tackle massive fire\n  * Motorhomes and campervans targeted by local parking changes as staycation surge hits larger vehicles\n  * Fuel duty changes launching today could have huge impact on thousands of farmers\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBen Nelmes, CEO and founder of New AutoMotive, said: \"The ZEV Mandate is one of the most successful industrial policies Britain has introduced in decades.\n\n\"The question now is whether Britain builds on that success or puts it at risk. The worst signal the Government could send to investors is uncertainty.\"\n\nNew AutoMotive's report also highlights the benefits for drivers, as the average family is able to save an impressive £900 a year by switching to an electric car and avoiding high fuel and running costs.\n\nIt compares the differences seen when policy changes are made, citing the Trump administration's decision to scale back EV policies in the United States, leading to a drop in EV momentum.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOn the other end of the spectrum, Chinese manufacturers continue to grow at pace, quickly becoming household names in the UK, Europe and around the world.\n\nTanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, said protecting the ZEV mandate would \"protect a future where buying and running a car becomes more affordable, flexible and convenient for all\".\n\nThis was echoed by ChargeUK CEO Vicky Read, who said Labour risked \"crumble to legacy auto lobbying\" or it could stand firm on a policy that will deliver cleaner driving to millions of motorists.\n\n\"A U-turn on the ZEV Mandate would not only halve investment in the critical charging infrastructure needed for the transition, it would undermine the UK's credibility as a market worth investing in at all,\" Read said.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA spokesperson for the Department for Transport told GB News that it was \"committed to the ZEV mandate\" and was backing the transition to electric vehicles with £7.5billion in funding.\n\nIt has previously said that it would only open a review into the ZEV mandate in 2027, as confirmed by Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather earlier this year.\n\nThe spokesperson added: \"We're boosting demand for EVs through our Electric Car Grant, helping over 120,000 drivers make the switch, resulting in sales for May being 34 per cent higher than last May.\n\n\"The UK EV market is strong, but we've always said we'll review the mandate to ensure taking a pragmatic and balanced approach that supports British industry and continues to drive investment.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Labour cutting electric car targets could threaten £385bn economic boost, damning report warns"
}