Beyond the heated headlines, the practical impact of the changes to the UK’s ZEV mandate is a slower, more gradual phase-out of petrol cars. The “flexibilities” introduced by the government will reshape the car market for the rest of the decade.
The original mandate set a steep and unyielding trajectory: 22% of sales as EVs in 2024, rising sharply each year. The new rules soften this curve. While the ultimate goal of 100% EV sales remains, manufacturers now have more leeway in how they get there, likely meaning the percentage of EVs sold in 2025 and 2026 will be lower than previously required.
This means consumers will continue to see a wide range of new petrol and, particularly, hybrid models in showrooms. For the industry, it means less pressure to offer deep discounts on EVs and more time to transition their production lines. For the environment, it means several more years of higher-than-planned emissions from the transport sector.
In essence, the government has traded speed for stability. It has accepted the industry’s argument that the original pace was too disruptive and opted for a longer, smoother glide path towards an all-electric future, a decision with significant long-term consequences for the UK’s climate goals.