The rollout of widespread, affordable charging infrastructure will be jeopardised if the ZEV mandate, which governs EV sales quotas in the UK, is altered, the EV charging trade association has warned the Government.

ChargeUK warns weaker EV sales will force a slowdown in charging rollout and a rise in prices at charge points

In its response to the imminently closing 2030 ICE phase-out consultation, ChargeUK outlines how the ZEV mandate has underpinned the multi-billion-pound investments committed by its members to deploy critical infrastructure.

This investment has led to a boom in charge point rollout over the last two years, which in turn has helped enable record levels of EV sales in recent months, with EVs representing a fifth of all new car registrations in January 2025.

While the Government is under pressure from carmakers to alter the ZEV mandate, ChargeUK warns that weaker EV sales will put charging investment at risk, resulting in a slowdown in charger rollout, higher prices at charge points and a more challenging environment in which to sell EVs.

It’s urging the Government to leave the mandate untouched and instead take steps to further boost demand for EVs through several key measures.

These include equalising VAT on public charging to 5%, addressing rising standing and capacity costs, and extending the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to charging, helping to improve charging affordability.

As with the AA, the association wants the Government to boost the visibility of charging sites by modernising outdated rules on signage, including on the Strategic Road Network

It’s also calling for Labour to give drivers, particularly private buyers, additional confidence by delaying changes to the Expensive Car Supplement and Vehicle Excise Duty, and considering further demand incentives in consultation with industry.

Finally, ChargeUK has also called on the Government to limit sales of hybrid cars to PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) between 2030-35, to support a genuine switch to zero-emission vehicles.

As outlined by a recent National Audit Office report, the charging sector is currently on track to deliver the infrastructure needed by 2030.

The public charging network grew by 37% in 2024 and now stands at nearly 75,000 charge points. Combined with 850,000 home and workplace chargers, currently there is close to one charger for every EV.

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said: “Our response to the ZEV mandate consultation is straightforward – we need to maintain and build on the conditions that have led to the recent growth in charge point deployment, and that have been pivotal in supporting record levels of EVs sales.

“The charge point industry has been working ahead of demand, installing nearly 75,000 public charge points and over 10 times as many home and workplace chargers, enabling drivers to switch to EVs with confidence.

“Any change in the clear, predictable demand signal that the ZEV mandate has provided to date will negatively impact investor confidence, leading to a slow-down in rollout, higher prices for consumers and a more challenging environment in which to sell EVs.

“Instead, government should stick to the existing mandate and focus on further supporting and stimulating demand for EVs.”