Charging companies have pushed back against suggestions that the UK government could weaken its electric vehicle sales targets, warning that drivers and investors would pay the price for greater policy uncertainty.
Ministers are reportedly considering cutting the share of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%, following pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. The government says no final decision has been taken and that 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 is expected after further ministerial discussions.
Grid charges under scrutiny
The industry response followed the publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with charging firm 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, hitting drivers without off-street parking hardest, and calls on Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He said speculation about weakening the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future, and argued the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions. He added that Ofgem's fixed grid charges were already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved, and that further uncertainty over EV targets risked delaying investment, slowing progress and leaving drivers worse off, while making the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
Market data and mandate flexibilities
Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive. EV advocates argue the existing rules already give carmakers 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 at a time when even ministers appear unable to agree on direction. She said increasing uptake and a growing choice of affordable electric models meant now was the time to build confidence rather than weaken it, and that the government must 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 argued 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 noted, 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 char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch 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 a consistent policy framework would deliver both more choice and greater confidence.
Investors, meanwhile, have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.