Britain's charging industry has pushed back against suggestions that the country is not ready for electric cars, after reports that ministers are considering cutting the share of new car sales that must be zero-emission by 2030 from 80% to 60%.
The government is said to be weighing the change following pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. Charging executives argue the infrastructure is already being delivered and should not be blamed for the difficulties facing carmakers, warning that drivers and investors could end up paying the price for weaker targets.
Rapid charger grid charges in focus
The intervention came a day after the publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment produced by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with charging company Zest. It found that the fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live have risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13.
The report warns that rapid charging could pass £1 per kWh next year, with drivers who have no off-street parking expected to be hit hardest, and calls on energy regulator Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Certainty argument from Zest
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty, arguing that speculation about weakening the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future. He said the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and that Ofgem's disproportionate fixed electricity grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved. Further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and leaving drivers worse off, he added, and the combined pressures make the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
Market data and mandate flexibilities
The row follows reports of disagreement within government over how far to relax the ZEV mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets, while EV advocates argue the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations.
Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead at a time when even ministers appear unable to agree on direction. With rising uptake and a growing choice of affordable electric models, she argued, now is the time to build confidence rather than weaken it, and the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy. She 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.
Buckley added that vans need separate consideration, because electric cars and vans are moving at very 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 said, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses' practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Network growth and investor confidence
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at charging company char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers switching to electric. Keeping ambitious targets in place would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways who often face the biggest barriers, he said, adding that drivers need more choice and greater confidence and that a consistent policy framework would deliver both.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure. The government insists 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 following further ministerial discussions this week.