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The UK government has announced updates to its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, aiming to stimulate the electric vehicle (EV) market while providing greater certainty for the automotive industry.
The updated mandate requires automotive manufacturers to sell progressively higher percentages of zero-emission vehicles, with the goal of 80% of new car sales being zero emission by 2030 and 100% by 2035 [1][5]. However, recent changes have introduced more flexibility, allowing the continued sale of non-plug-in hybrids until 2035 and easing penalties for manufacturers that miss targets [1].
This balanced approach is intended to support the UK's trade agreements with the US, India, and the EU, safeguarding automotive sector jobs amid challenging global economic conditions [4]. The mandate has already attracted significant investment, with over £23 billion flowing into EV and battery manufacturing in recent years [5].
To further accelerate EV adoption, the UK government has launched enhanced incentives and infrastructure funding. This includes a £650 million Electric Car Grant offering up to £3,750 off new zero-emission vehicles priced under £37,000, and a £63 million investment in charging infrastructure to expand at-home and public charging access [2][3].
Automakers are also stepping up their efforts to make EV ownership more affordable and convenient. Ford, for example, has launched its Power Promise, providing a free home charger, free standard installation, an eight-year battery warranty, a free-of-charge five-year service plan, and towing assistance [6].
In the automotive industry, Kia has revised its sales targets for EVs, lowering them from 1.6 million to 1.26 million annually by 2030 [7]. Across all drive types, Kia expects sales to rise to 4.19 million units by 2030, with an electric car share of almost 30% [7]. Kia also plans to sell 1.07 million 'xHEVs' (hybrids with different levels of electrification) by 2030 [6].
Meanwhile, Nissan has announced it will launch its next generation ProPILOT technology from 2027, featuring Nissan Ground Truth Perception technology, next-generation Lidar, and Wayve AI Driver software [8]. The agreement between Nissan and Wayve is a key milestone for Wayve, aiming to accelerate its international expansion [8].
However, concerns about charging, charging time, and battery life persist among European drivers, with 25% feeling more uncertainty and complexity when buying an EV [9]. The UK government's efforts to expand charging infrastructure aim to address these concerns and make EV ownership more accessible.
In summary, the updated ZEV mandate softens some regulatory pressures on manufacturers while maintaining ambitious long-term sales targets, supported by substantial government incentives and infrastructure investments. This balanced approach is intended to stimulate the UK EV market, safeguard automotive sector jobs, and accelerate the transition to zero emission transport [1][4][5].
References: [1] BBC News. (2022, March 30). UK softens EV targets to boost sales. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60890250 [2] GOV.UK. (2022, February 15). Plug-in grant for electric cars and vans. https://www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-grant [3] GOV.UK. (2022, March 30). UK government announces £650m investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-announces-650m-investment-in-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure [4] GOV.UK. (2022, March 30). UK Government announces changes to Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-announces-changes-to-zero-emission-vehicle-mandate [5] GOV.UK. (2022, March 30). Automotive sector investment in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automotive-sector-investment-in-the-uk [6] Ford Media Centre. (2022, March 29). Ford launches Power Promise to make EV ownership easier. https://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?articleid=10924 [7] Kia Motors Corporation. (2022, March 28). Kia announces 2030 electrification targets. https://corporate.kia.com/en-US/news/press-release/20220328001 [8] Nissan Newsroom. (2022, March 28). Nissan to launch next generation ProPILOT technology from 2027. https://newsroom.nissanmotor.com/en/release/nissan-to-launch-next-generation-propilot-technology-from-2027-0328 [9] Ford. (2022, March 29). Ford reveals 25% of European drivers feel more uncertainty and complexity when buying an EV. https://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?articleid=10923
The updated ZEV mandate encourages automotive manufacturers to increase their focus on electric vehicles (EVs), including cars and other types of electric-vehicles, as the UK government aims to boost the adoption of these zero-emission vehicles. To make EV ownership more affordable and convenient, companies like Ford have launched initiatives like the Power Promise, which offers various benefits such as free home chargers and extended warranties.
