Ford is considering restricting the sale of new petrol and diesel models in the UK to meet stringent electric vehicle (EV) targets. This potential move comes in response to the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
The ZEV mandate, a government policy, requires manufacturers to ensure that at least 28 percent of their car sales come from electric vehicles by the end of this year. These targets will increase incrementally, reaching 80 percent for new cars and 70 percent for vans by 2030. Government projections anticipate that all new cars will be electric before 2035. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has already confirmed that the sale of new petrol or diesel cars will be banned after 2030.
Lisa Bradkin, CEO of Ford UK, told Auto Express that restricting petrol and diesel vehicle sales “remains an option,” but added that it’s not a decision they “really want to take.” This echoes comments by Martin Sander, Ford’s European boss, who has said he would “take shipments of ICE vehicles to the UK down, and sell these vehicles somewhere else.”
Ford currently offers five electric vehicles in the UK, including the Puma Gen-E, Capri, Explorer, Mustang Mach-E, and the Tourneo Custom van. Ford’s market adjustments could potentially lead to price increases, which could impact the cost of their most affordable model, the mild hybrid Ford Puma, which starts at £26,350.
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Ford has sold 11,069 cars in the UK so far this year, accounting for just under five percent of the total market share. However, this figure is a significant drop compared to the same period last year, when the brand sold over 15,500 vehicles, marking a 28% decrease since 2024. Last year, the Ford Puma was the UK’s best-selling vehicle with 48,340 new registrations, though its ranking has fallen to the ninth best-selling model so far this year.
Bradkin further stated, “We’ve had really good engagement with the Government and I think that they understand. The concern is that [the review] is taking a really long time.” She added, “We don’t know when we’re going to get a response and we don’t know what the decision is going to be, and so there’s a massive level of uncertainty.”
Additionally, Whitehall sources suggest that the Labour party may be considering watering down the ZEV mandate to allow the continued sale of hybrid vehicles after 2030. These sources indicate that manufacturers and automotive groups have warned the government that investment in the UK could be affected without an allowance for hybrid vehicles. This proposed move has been heavily criticized by experts, who accuse the government of “surrendering” to manufacturers, even if it’s detrimental to the government’s net-zero goals.
Quentin Willson, founder of FairCharge and EVUK advisory board member, criticized hybrids as “old,” calling the potential move a “huge step backwards.” A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said they have been collaborating with automotive manufacturers following the landmark consultation, initiated on Christmas Eve. The DfT will “carefully consider the feedback” before responding and clarifying the future of the ZEV mandate, a decision that many in the industry eagerly anticipate.
