Charging companies and electric vehicle advocates have pushed back against reports that the UK government is considering cutting the share of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%, warning that weaker targets would deter investment and raise costs for drivers.
According to the reports, ministers are weighing the reduction after pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. The change would relax the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires carmakers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars.
Grid charges under scrutiny
The warning follows the publication of "Reverse the Charge," an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with charging firm 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 hit hardest, and calls on energy regulator Ofgem to urgently reform the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, argued that investment follows confidence and that confidence depends on certainty. He said speculation about weakening the ZEV mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to the UK's electric future, and that the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions. Heap added that Ofgem's fixed grid charges were already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved, and that further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and making the UK less attractive compared with other markets.
Manufacturers and advocates divided
The intervention comes amid reported disagreements within government over how far to relax the mandate. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets, while EV advocates argue the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations.
Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead and argued that, with rising uptake and a growing choice of affordable electric models, the government should build confidence rather than weaken it. She said the ZEV mandate already contains substantial flexibilities and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included. Buckley also said vans need separate consideration, since electric cars and vans are moving at very different speeds, leaving some manufacturers relying on surplus electric car credits to avoid fines on van sales.
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at charging firm char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch to electric. He said keeping ambitious targets would help ensure drivers — particularly those without driveways, who often face the biggest barriers — have access to more affordable electric cars, adding that a consistent policy framework would deliver more choice and confidence.
Investment concerns
Investors have separately warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.
The government insists 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.