UK Carmakers Call for Flexibility in EV Sales Mandate to Avoid Heavy Fines

Automakers warn that strict zero-emission vehicle targets risk jobs, investment, and the future of UK manufacturing as demand for EVs slows.

Under the UK's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, manufacturers must ensure 22% of new car sales in 2024 are electric, with targets increasing annually to 100% by 2035.
Carmakers, including Nissan and Ford, have urged the government to relax the mandate, citing slowing EV demand and potential fines of £15,000 per non-compliant vehicle sold.
Industry leaders proposed measures like a two-year monitoring period, credit flexibility, and reinstating subsidies for private EV buyers to ease compliance burdens.
Ford announced plans to cut 800 UK jobs, part of a broader European reduction, attributing the move to weaker-than-expected EV demand and competition from Chinese rivals.
While government officials emphasized the UK's leadership in EV growth, manufacturers warned that the current mandate could undermine domestic production, investment, and jobs.