Nissan called for urgent action to avoid carmakers being penalised for slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK resulting from outdated targets in the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicles Mandate.
The Mandate was established to incentivise manufacturers to move from petrol and diesel vehicles to EVs, under the assumption that the sharp rises in consumer demand for EVs seen in recent years would continue.
Despite discounting by manufacturers to drive sales this year, the SMMT predict that the slowdown in consumer demand means that EV sales will only reach 18.5% of the total market, against the 2024 ZEV Mandate target for 22%, which will rise to 28% in 2025.
Car makers will be “fined” £15,000 for each non electric model they sell over the 22% cut off and some are already planning to restrict sales to meet the limit.
Missing the target will result in significant fines for manufacturers unless credits are purchased from EV-only brands – none of which manufacture in the UK, meaning the UK automotive industry will effectively be subsidising EV sectors in other countries, at the expense of investment in Britain.
Nissan remains committed to a fully-electric future and with partners is investing billions in new models and technologies for its UK operations. In light of the slowdown in consumer demand, the UK Government needs to urgently address the ZEV Mandate to protect such investments
