What is the 2030 Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, and does it affect me?

What is the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate?

Simply put, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate is a government ruling that came into place in January 2024 to encourage car manufacturers to sell more electric cars. The goal of it is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by reducing the number of petrol and diesel cars on the roads. The mandate sets yearly targets for the number of zero emission cars they need to sell, with the goal of reaching 80% of new cars sold in the UK being electric by 2030 increasing to 100% by 2035.  In December 2024, the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander announced a new public consultation reaffirming the 2030 deadline for phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. The consultation also aims to explore ways to support the automotive industry in managing the costs of achieving this goal.

Stakeholders across the electric vehicle (EV) sector — including drivers — were invited to share their perspectives on the progress of the transition, the specifics of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, and the policies the Government should adopt to ensure EV adoption continues to grow in line with future decarbonisation targets.

The results of this review are yet to be published.

What does the ZEV Mandate mean for you?

The ZEV Mandate is not just about car manufacturers, it affects everyone thinking about making the switch to electric. As manufacturers ramp up EV production to hit their emission targets, we are already seeing more all-electric car models available at a wider range of prices. That means more choice for drivers and hopefully, lower costs over time, but important emissions will continue to fall.

There is continued pressure on manufacturers to make EVs more accessible since they cannot rely on selling EVs to fleet companies alone to meet the ZEV targets. So, if you are considering signing up to an EV on salary sacrifice through Tusker the choice will continue to increase, and more affordable cars will continue to be launched.

Popularity of salary sacrifice continues to rise

EV adoption in the UK has accelerated in recent years. In 2024, EVs accounted for 19.6% of all new car registrations, an all-time high, although still short of the 22% ZEV target set by the government and well short of the 2025 target of 28%.[1]

A major driving force behind this growth is with company car and salary sacrifice drivers where lower Benefit in Kind tax levels have helped grow their share of electric sales. Salary sacrifice schemes particularly, play a big part in growing EV market share with sales rising by 51% from 2024 to 2025 according to the latest statistics from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.[2]

Charging infrastructure is improving

A strong charging network is essential for mass EV adoption. In the UK, there are now over 72,000 public charging points across the country, with another 100,000 planned by local authorities in England in the coming years.[3]

That is good news, but there are several challenges that still need to be overcome. Ensuring nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas is crucial, as well as expanding the network of rapid chargers to reduce wait times, while solutions for those living in apartments or without access to their own drive remains work in progress.

So, are we on track for 2030?

The UK has made considerable progress, but there are still hurdles in the way. While business and fleet adoption is leading the way, there is a call for more private buyers to receive more support and incentives to make the switch to electric. The ZEV Mandate provides a clear roadmap to a clean air future and Tusker has a wide range of cars available to help make the transition easier.

[1] https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/electric-vehicle-sales-forecast-suggests-government-target-missed-again

[2] https://www.bvrla.co.uk/resource/appetite-for-electric-company-cars-drives-leasing-growth.html

[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-chargepoints-in-the-uk-hit-75000-milestone