UK Expected to Cut 2030 Electric Vehicle Sales Target to Around 60%, Burnham Says No Decision Yet

London: The British government is expected to reduce its 2030 electric vehicle sales target by about a quarter to around 60 percent, according to a report by the Guardian citing government sources, though Prime Minister Andy Burnham has insisted that no decision has yet been made on the UK electric vehicle target.

Current Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate

Under the existing zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, carmakers are required to ensure that zero-emission vehicles make up a rising share of their annual sales. The target stands at 33 percent for 2026, rising to 80 percent in 2030 and 100 percent by 2035.

Louise Haigh Expected to Finalise Plan

According to the Guardian, Louise Haigh, the de facto deputy prime minister, is expected to finalise the plan on Wednesday. The newspaper reported that she will likely approve a 2030 target of about 60 percent and extend flexibility measures for carmakers until 2034.

Burnham Calls Report “Speculation”

Asked about the report on Monday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the government was still considering responses to a consultation on the issue. “No decision has been made at this point,” he told British media, describing the newspaper’s report as “speculation.”

Government Reaffirms 2030 and 2035 Commitments

A government spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment to phase out all new cars powered solely by petrol and diesel engines by 2030. The spokesperson added that the mandate consultation would not change the target for all new car and van sales to be zero-emission by 2035.

In August, the government set out options that could ease pressure on carmakers to shift new sales to zero-emission vehicles, with the existing targets currently under review.

Carmakers Cite Weak Demand and Supply Chain Disruptions

Carmakers argue that supply chain disruptions and weak consumer demand have made it difficult to comply with the mandate. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), battery-electric vehicles accounted for 26.6 percent of new car sales so far this year, short of the 33 percent target for 2026. The industry body last week called for “substantive” changes to the targets to bring them closer in line with market demand.

Balancing Climate Goals and Industry Concerns

The debate over the UK electric vehicle target highlights the challenge facing the government as it seeks to balance its climate commitments with the concerns of the automotive industry. Any revision to the 2030 target is expected to have significant implications for manufacturers, investors and consumers, as well as for Britain’s broader transition to cleaner transport.