Franchised dealers are stepping up calls for a re-evaluation of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate after the European Commission proposed watering down Europe’s 100% zero-emission target for new cars and vans from 2035.
The Commission’s proposal would replace the 2035 requirement with a 90% emissions-reduction goal and introduce new allowances for hybrids and alternative fuels.
The change would enable a proportion of plug-in hybrids and other combustion-based vehicles to remain on sale beyond 2035, potentially accounting for more than a quarter of new car registrations.
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) said it has written to transport secretary Heidi Alexander and roads minister Simon Lightwood urging the Government to review the UK’s ZEV mandate targets in light of the EU’s shift.
In its letter, the NFDA argued that UK policy needs to remain aligned with changing international benchmarks to protect competitiveness, provide market certainty and support realistic transition pathways for retailers and consumers.
“This is a crucial moment, as the European Union has recently announced changes to its own targets,” said NFDA chief executive Sue Robinson in the letter.
“We are concerned that manufacturers may start limiting vehicle supply to the UK to hit their ZEV Mandate targets, which would damage the retail automotive sector and the economy more widely. We are therefore asking that the government review the UK’s current ZEV targets.”
Commenting further, she said: “As the automotive market continues to evolve rapidly, it’s essential that the UK’s ZEV mandate framework is grounded in the latest developments. We will engage in constructive dialogue with the Department for Transport in 2026 to ensure the ZEV mandate delivers.
"NFDA remains committed to working collaboratively with the Government to support a balanced transition to zero emission mobility that benefits businesses and consumers across the UK."
The NFDA’s intervention follows recent warnings from one dealership chief that the UK risks falling out of line with global and European EV policy.
Vertu Motors chief executive Robert Forrester last month warned the UK is “completely out of lockstep” with global EV policy and will come under mounting pressure to align with the European Union’s move to dilute its 2035 zero emission requirement for new cars and vans.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the AM100 dealer group leader said the UK’s ZEV mandate trajectory – which ramps to 80% of new car sales being zero emission by 2030 and 100% by 2035 – was placing “immense pressure” on the sector despite the UK representing only 2% of an integrated global automotive market.
“The UK is now completely out of lockstep with the rest of the world in terms of EV policy… targets that are frankly delusional,” he said.
Automotive Management Live, the UK's leading event for motor retailers, returned for 2025 at Birmingham's NEC on November 12. The insight-packed day saw dealer group leaders and other automotive managers gain real-world strategies from expert-led seminars, network with their peers and meet 80+ leading suppliers showcasing the latest innovations.
Automotive Management Live helped dealer group leaders:
Motor retail comes together for Automotive Management Live 2025 (picture gallery)
2026 DIARY DATE: November 11 at the NEC
AM deputy editor Aimée Turner has been a specialist B2B editor and journalist covering the international transportation sector for more than 20 years.
She has specialised in the significant safety, regulatory, and environmental issues that impact advanced technology businesses in the pursuit of more efficient, safer and sustainable transportation modes.
A new study by online car marketplace Carwow reveals that a majority of UK drivers believe the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate needs urgent reform with two-thirds (67%) of drivers thinking the government should ease the required EV production quotas for manufacturers.
Regulations requiring manufacturers to increase battery electric vehicle (BEV) quotas or face punishing financial penalties are already creating significant change within the market, says Fraser Brown of MotorVise.
Electric vehicle (EV) discounting appears to be softening in the wake of fresh changes to the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, according to the latest data from Auto Trader.
Electric vehicles continued to gain ground in April even as overall new car registrations slumped 14.3% year-on-year following a strong March distorted by tax changes.
More than half of UK car dealers believe the government’s revised Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate will create much-needed “breathing space” for electric vehicle (EV) sales
The NFDA has set out key demands ahead of next week’s Autumn Budget as EV industry leaders warn the Government not to weaken the ZEV mandate again.
No comments have been made yet.
Register to receive our range of digital content, including newsletters and special reports.
AM-online, Media House, Lynch Wood Peterborough, PE2 6EA
Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales. VAT no 918 5617 01 H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898). Owner and beneficial owner: Yvonne Bauer, Heinz Bauer
Automotive Management magazine: Newspress Awards’ Automotive Business Publication of the Year 2020
By submitting any material to us you are confirming that the material is your own original work or that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the material and to authorise Bauer Consumer Media to use it as described in this paragraph. You also promise that you have permission from anyone featured or referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Bauer Consumer Media. If Bauer Consumer Media receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person featured in any material you have sent us, we will inform that person that you have granted us permission to use the relevant material and you will be responsible for paying any amounts due to the copyright owner or featured person and/or for reimbursing Bauer Consumer Media for any losses it has suffered as a result.
