Aimed at supporting the automotive industry and easing the transition to electric vehicles, the government has announced a series of changes to its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
While the headline is confirmation of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, this latest update also acknowledges the slower pace of van electrification. As part of this, the government has confirmed the 2035 deadline to end the sale of petrol, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vans.
To ease the transition to zero-emission vehicles, the government is changing how manufacturers balance electric van sales against targets. This move is a response to industry concerns about the current pace of electric van adoption, as well as the public charging infrastructure.
Key changes for van drivers and fleet operators
For now, not much changes for van drivers. The announcement concerns how manufacturers are fined for missing targets and how the credit transfer scheme works. This takes a bit of the pressure off while ensuring there’s a clear roadmap to 2035.
When it comes to buying a van, you still have plenty of choices, but it’s important to note that hybrids and plug-in hybrids are included in the 2035 ban on new sales. The ZEV mandate does not affect the sale of second-hand vans, however. While many will want to switch to electric to take advantage of cheaper fuel, tax incentives, and grants, those who want to stick with petrol and diesel can still shop for used vans.
Looking ahead
The ZEV mandate continues to press the industry on its electric van targets. There are strict targets for manufacturers from now to 2030, with targets up to 2035 still to be agreed.
Percentage of electric van sales required for each manufacturer:
- 2025: 16%
- 2026: 24%
- 2027: 34%
- 2028: 46%
- 2029: 58%
- 2030: 70%
At the end of 2024, 6.3% of the van market was electric. The updated ZEV mandate may help increase demand and could make pricing more competitive as manufacturers move to hit those targets.
Room for improvement
While the changes were, generally, welcomed by manufacturers, this has highlighted the ongoing challenge of electric van adoption. Low uptake suggests more work is needed from both industry and government to address the charging infrastructure for vans and the public perception of EV adoption.
“We need better messaging from all manufacturers,” says Paul Kirby, independent electric van expert and director of The EV Café, “not only to fleets but also to small businesses that need help and insight into how an electric van can benefit them. This means, bums on seats (with test drives of more than an hour) and lots of simple messaging.
“We also need to address van charging challenges to educate drivers while creating van-specific options, too.”
With uncertainty surrounding global tariffs and their impact on UK industry, flexibility remains key as the UK balances environmental targets with the economic realities of 2025 and beyond.
