Stellantis Meets ZEV Mandate in the UK
Stellantis has become one of the few vehicle manufacturers in the UK to comply with the nation’s Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS) – commonly known as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate – for both cars and vans during 2024.
The company’s achievement stems from strong sales of its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. Stellantis currently offers 30 electric cars and vans across eleven brands in the UK, meeting the mandate without resorting to alternative means of compliance.
The ZEV Mandate, enacted by the House of Commons in December 2023, dictates that 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain must be zero-emission by 2030, escalating to 100% by 2035. In 2024, 22% of all new car sales from each qualifying brand in the UK had to be zero-emission, with the percentage increasing each year.
OEMs faced a £15,000 penalty for each non-compliant car in 2024. To mitigate potential fines, companies have the option to purchase ‘credits’ from other manufacturers exceeding their targets.
Stellantis, in 2024, recorded sales of 39,492 electric cars, a 59% increase over 2023. This performance secured the company a 10.3% share of the electric car market. The Stellantis Pro One division, encompassing the Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën & Fiat Professional brands, sold 7,821 electric vans in 2024. These sales figures surpassed the combined totals of the second and third-placed manufacturers, giving Stellantis a market share of 35.6%, solidifying its position as the top-selling electric van manufacturer in the UK during that year.
Eurig Druce, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK, commented on the company’s successful performance:
“2024 saw more people than ever purchase an EV and I’d like to thank our customers who have decided to switch to electric with one of our brands and also to our incredible UK retailer network for making it happen.
“Stellantis welcomes the UK Government’s consultation on the phase out of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and support for zero-emission transition. Our ambition for 100% zero-emission vehicles is clearly explained in our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan – our goals are aligned. “However, despite offering a very comprehensive line-up of popular electric cars and vans, and a strong will and focus on making our EVs as attainable as possible, the steep trajectories of the ZEV mandate are out of step from current demand. Put simply, if the UK is to achieve its transport emission ambitions, and for EVs to represent 80% of new cars sold in 2030, then consumers are going to need more encouragement from Government to do so.”
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport responded to the news:
“It’s great to see that Stellantis has met its EV sales target for 2024, increasing on year sales by more than half. The UK is now the largest EV market in Europe and, thanks to the flexibilities of the ZEV Mandate, we are confident that the whole industry will meet targets and that no car manufacturer will need to pay fines. “2024 was also a record year for the rollout of charge points, with nearly 20,000 public chargers added to the network last year and a further 100,000 in the pipeline thanks to Government support. “We’re investing over £2.3 billion to make the transition to zero-emissions vehicles a success, unlocking a multibillion-pound industry and creating high-quality jobs that will drive growth for decades to come.”
Last month, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The automotive and charging industries were invited to contribute to the discussion about how to implement the government’s commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars and facilitate the shift to zero-emission vehicles.
