Britain’s electric vehicle charging industry has criticised suggestions that the government could weaken its 2030 EV sales targets, warning that a less certain policy framework could deter investment and leave drivers paying more.
Ministers are reportedly considering reducing the share of new cars that must be fully electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%. The move is said to follow pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. Charging executives argue that the infrastructure is already being delivered and should not be blamed for the difficulties facing carmakers.
Rapid charging costs under scrutiny
The intervention came a day after an impact assessment titled Reverse the Charge, published by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with Zest, found that fixed grid charges for keeping a single rapid charger live had risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warned that rapid charging could exceed £1 per kWh next year, with drivers who lack off-street parking likely to be hit hardest, and called on Ofgem to address the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment depends on confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He warned that speculation about weakening the zero-emission vehicle mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions of pounds to Britain’s electric future. Heap added that Ofgem’s fixed electricity grid charges were already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved, and that further uncertainty over EV targets risked delaying investment and slowing progress. Together, he said, these pressures made the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
Sales data and mandate flexibility
Public data from New AutoMotive showed that almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric. EV advocates argue that the existing rules already give manufacturers considerable room to meet their obligations.
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 appeared unable to agree on direction. She argued that with rising EV uptake and a growing choice of affordable models, the government should build confidence rather than weaken it, and should not let private companies dictate environmental policy.
Buckley said the ZEV mandate already includes substantial flexibilities, and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included. She said vans needed separate consideration because electric cars and vans are moving at different speeds, leaving some manufacturers relying on surplus electric car credits to avoid fines on van sales. Purchase grants and charging support already exist, she added, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses’ practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at char.gy, said the charging network was growing ahead of government targets and was ready to support more drivers making the switch. Keeping ambitious EV targets would help ensure drivers had access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways, who often face the biggest barriers. He said drivers needed more choice and greater confidence, and that a consistent policy framework would help deliver both.
Investors seek certainty
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure. The government insists that no final decision has been taken and 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.