2022 was an historic year for electric car and van uptake but the UK government must not delay the implementation of its planned ZEV mandate.

New AutoMotive says work to develop an effective ZEV mandate which drives new EV sales – rather than being simply a backstop – is crucial

A new report from independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive has found that the mandate must be enforced to maintain EV momentum.

Its ‘State of the Switch 2022’ report reviewed progress of the UK’s transition to electrified transport over 2022 and charted its future path.

Despite the exponential growth of EVs in 2022, more than four in five of all new car registrations were petrol or diesel vehicles – and the report found it was essential the UK government continues to support the switch to electric through ambitious public policy.

While the Department for Transport made a commitment in last year’s Net Zero Strategy that it would introduce such a mandate from 2024, and opened a consultation last year, momentum has since flagged.

According to New AutoMotive, the final consultations for mandate are due to take place imminently – and it says work to develop an effective ZEV mandate which drives new EV sales – rather than being simply a backstop – is crucial.

CEO Ben Nelmes explained: These discussions are of critical importance, as the final form of the mandate will be crucial to delivering a timely and equitable transition to electric vehicles that benefits all motorists, as well as UK business.”

“The UK government must not delay the implementation of the mandate or water down targets – doing so will only delay motorists’ access to the running cost savings that come from switching to an electric car. An ambitious mandate would ensure the supply of EVs – both vans and cars – to the UK, reducing waiting times and reducing upfront costs, and thus driving the country’s EV transition to new heights.”

“Any watering down of targets would simply reward manufacturers that are failing to electrify, and slow down the pace of the transition. In 2023, the government must drive forward and capitalise on the significant momentum the transition has built up. Neither complacency nor vested interests can be allowed to slow down the journey to electrified transport.”

New AutoMotive also published a report last month saying that the UK charging rollout is on track but the ZEV mandate is key to growth. The report finds that the most crucial barrier the Government can help the charge point industry overcome is uncertainty about future demand for public charging services. And it says the ZEV mandate is key to underpinning supply and supporting charger growth.