Charging industry leaders have pushed back against suggestions that Britain is not ready for electric cars, as ministers reportedly consider cutting the share of new car sales that must be zero-emission by 2030 from 80% to 60%.
The reported move follows 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 challenges facing carmakers.
Grid charges under scrutiny
The warnings came a day after the publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment produced 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, with drivers who lack off-street parking expected to be hit hardest, and calls on energy regulator Ofgem to urgently address the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Industry warns on investment confidence
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty, arguing that speculation about weakening the zero emission vehicle mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future.
Heap 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 risked delaying investment, slowing progress and ultimately leaving drivers worse off, he added, while making the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
Mandate flexibilities contested
The intervention follows reports of disagreement within Government over how far to relax the Zero Emission Vehicle 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, yet even ministers appear unable to agree on the direction. With EV uptake increasing and more affordable electric models available, she argued that now is the time to build confidence rather than weaken it, and that the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy.
Buckley said the mandate already includes substantial flexibilities, and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included. Vans, she added, do need 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, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses' practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Drivers without driveways
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 drivers need more choice and greater confidence, which a consistent policy framework would help deliver.
Investors, meanwhile, have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.
Decision awaited
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.