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UK considers cutting EV sales target to 50% by 2030
The government is consulting until late October on options that could increase the share of hybrids or extend flexibility for automakers, while keeping a 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
The UK government says it is reviewing the country’s electric vehicle sales target after pressure from car makers, with officials considering reducing the goal for EVs to as low as 50% of new car sales by the end of the decade.
Under the current ZEV mandate, the required EV share rises each year, starting at 33% for 2026 and reaching 80% by 2030. The government says it will consult on the potential changes until late October, with environmental groups warning that watering down the target could undermine the UK’s long term climate goals.
Officials say the reviewed policy could allow car makers to sell more hybrid vehicles as a portion of total sales. One approach under discussion would drop pure electric targets to 50%, meaning the remaining 50% would have to be hybrid, while other options include keeping the EV target at 80% but adding flexibility that could extend to as far as 2034.
The 2030 deadline for an outright ban on selling purely petrol or diesel cars remains in place, and it is framed as consistent with commitments in Labour’s election manifesto. BBC Business reports that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said targets should stay under review to ensure they are practical and support British industry, while industry and environmental voices warned the transition rules would affect investment, jobs, and emissions.