Charging industry leaders have pushed back against suggestions that Britain is not ready for electric cars, as ministers reportedly consider reducing the proportion of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%. They argue that charging infrastructure is already being delivered and should not be blamed for the pressures facing carmakers.
The government says no final decision has been taken. It says it remains committed to ending sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030, with all new car and van sales required to be zero-emission by 2035. A decision on the mandate is expected after further ministerial discussions this week.
The intervention follows a report titled “Reverse the Charge” by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with Zest. It found that fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live have risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could pass £1 per kWh next year, hitting drivers without off-street parking hardest, and calls on Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Investment warning
Robin Heap, CEO of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He said speculation about weakening the zero-emission vehicle mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain’s electric future. He argued that the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and that Ofgem’s fixed electricity grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved. Further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and leaving drivers worse off, he added, while the combined pressures make the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
The intervention follows reports of disagreements within government over how far to relax the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets, while EV advocates argue that the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations. Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive.
Flexibility and vans
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead, yet even ministers appear unable to agree on the direction. With increasing EV uptake and a growing choice of affordable electric models, she said, now is the time to build confidence rather than weaken it, and the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy. She said the ZEV mandate already includes substantial flexibilities, and analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO₂ flexibilities are included. Vans need consideration because electric cars and vans are moving at very different speeds, leaving some manufacturers relying on surplus electric car credits to avoid fines on van sales. Purchase grants and charging support already exist, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses’ practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Public charging and investor confidence
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch to electric. Keeping ambitious EV targets in place would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways, who often face the biggest barriers. He said drivers need more choice and greater confidence, and a consistent policy framework will help deliver both.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure. The row also raises questions about drivers who cannot charge at home and depend on public charging facilities.