UK Carmakers Near EV Sales Targets Amid Labour Plans to Relax Rules

In the UK, electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to grow but remain short of government targets, with 21.6% of new car sales being battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the first half of 2025, slightly below the 22.06% target after accounting for regulatory flexibilities. Despite strong industry lobbying resulting in the Labour government easing the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, carmakers are still close to meeting the adjusted targets, challenging claims that the original rules were unworkable. The government’s rollback of the ZEV mandate is expected to increase carbon emissions, although officials argue the impact will be minimal. Public skepticism persists, as 80% of UK drivers expect another U-turn on the 2030 ban for new petrol and diesel cars, with forecasts predicting EV sales will reach only 45% market share by 2030, well below the mandated 80%. Experts highlight that infrastructure development and consumer readiness remain significant barriers to faster EV adoption, with implications for investment in charging and renewable energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, in India, manufacturers like Skoda Volkswagen are recalibrating their EV market share goals downward due to similar challenges in infrastructure and consumer demand, indicating a broader global complexity in transitioning to electric mobility.