Charging industry executives have criticized suggestions that the UK government could weaken its 2030 electric-car sales target, warning that drivers and investors could bear the cost of reduced policy certainty.
Ministers are reportedly considering lowering the share of new cars that must be fully electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%, after pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. The proposal concerns the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars.
The debate follows the publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with Zest. It found that fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live have risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could exceed £1 per kWh next year, with drivers who lack off-street parking likely to be hit hardest, and calls on Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment depends on confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He argued that speculation about weakening the ZEV mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain’s electric future. According to Heap, the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and Ofgem’s fixed 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 leaving drivers worse off, while making the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
The intervention comes amid reports of disagreement within government over how far to relax the mandate. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets, but EV advocates argue that the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations.
Public data from New AutoMotive showed that almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric-car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead, yet even ministers appear unable to agree on direction. She said that with growing EV uptake and a wider choice of affordable electric models, the priority should be to build confidence rather than weaken it, and that the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy. Buckley also said the ZEV mandate already includes substantial flexibilities, and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included.
She added that vans need separate consideration because electric cars and vans are moving at very different speeds. Some manufacturers are relying on surplus electric-car credits to avoid fines on van sales, she said, and ministers should assess whether purchase grants and charging support address businesses’ practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
The dispute also raises questions for drivers who cannot charge at home and depend on public charging. 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 argued that 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. What drivers need now, he said, is more choice and greater confidence, and a consistent policy framework would help deliver both.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.
The government insists that no final decision has been taken and says it remains committed 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 on the mandate is expected following further ministerial discussions this week.