UK’s ZEV Mandate Becomes Law
The UK’s commitment to a greener future took a significant step forward on January 3, 2024, as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate officially became law. This landmark legislation sets a clear pathway for the transition to electric vehicles, aiming to have 100% of new cars and vans be zero-emission by 2035.
This mandate, a key component of the government’s net-zero strategy, requires manufacturers to progressively increase the proportion of zero-emission vehicles they produce each year up to 2030. The initial targets are ambitious: 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain must be zero-emission by 2030. These figures will escalate to 100% by 2035.
This new law is backed by over £2 billion in government investments to expand the charging infrastructure throughout the country, and provides incentives for individuals to switch to electric vehicles. This certainty is designed to provide confidence to industry, support the economy, and aid families as they transition to electric vehicles.
The UK’s approach is now a world leader in electric vehicle regulations, following extensive consultations with manufacturers. The government adjusted the ban on new diesel and petrol cars from 2030 to 2035. This adjustment provides consumers more time to transition, allowing for a leveling up of the charging infrastructure. This approach mirrors strategies in countries such as France, Germany, Sweden and Canada.
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne highlighted the mandate’s economic impact, stating that it provides investment certainty to the charging sector and supports skilled jobs in the automotive industry. Recent figures indicate rapid growth in the UK’s charging network, with a 44% increase in public chargepoints over the past year.
The government is also incentivising the switch to EVs with schemes to lower their costs, such as grants for vans and home chargepoints. The ZEV mandate offers long-term certainty for the industry. The UK and EU agreed to extend trade rules on electric vehicles, saving manufacturers and consumers potentially billions of pounds in additional costs.
The transition to electric vehicles has already sparked significant investments in gigafactories and EV manufacturing. These include investments from Nissan, Tata, BMW, Ford, and Stellantis, that are creating jobs and boosting the economy.
In addition, the government is also supporting the rollout of local EV infrastructure. The government also has a pilot program for ultra-rapid charging points at motorway service areas.
With London as a prime example, the new mandate is expected to further reduce the cost of EVs and boost their supply, accelerating their adoption over the next decade. The government plans to streamline chargepoint installations and review grid connections to promote further expansion of the charging network.
