UK Government announces interim zero emissions target for electric vehicle producers

The UK Government has announced today a new mandate for the production of electric vehicles (EV’s) following the push back on the total ban of new petrol and diesel from 2030 to 2035.

By 2030 the UK will now require 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans to be electric and then ultimately hitting 100% by 2035.

The mandate also introduces minimum annual targets, starting with a requirement for 22% of new cars sold by 2024 to be electric, in line with the original proposal.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “The path to zero emission vehicles announced today makes sure the route to get there is proportionate, pragmatic and realistic for families.

“Our mandate provides certainty for manufacturers, benefits drivers by providing more options and helps grow the economy by creating skilled jobs.”

The industry was worried that the UK’s decision to push back on 100% electrification by 2030 was going to water down the proposal and send out the wrong signal about it’s appetite to be net zero by 2050.

What these mandated steps do is clarify what the new future looks like and what steps we need to hit.