Charging sector’s ability to support the EV transition severely compromised if right conditions for investment cannot be secured.
The rollout of widespread, affordable charging infrastructure will be jeopardised if the ZEV mandate, which governs EV sales quotas in the UK, is altered, the EV charging trade association has warned the Government.
In its response to the consultation on the petrol and diesel car phase out, ChargeUK outlines how the ZEV mandate has underpinned the multi-billion-pound investments committed by its members to deploy critical infrastructure.
This investment has led to a boom in charge point rollout over the last two years, which in turn has enabled record levels of EV sales in recent months, with EVs representing a fifth of all new car registrations in January 2025.
Altering the mandate, so that fewer electric miles than expected are driven in the UK in the coming decade, will put this charging investment at risk, resulting in a slowdown in charger rollout, higher prices at charge points and a more challenging environment in which to sell EVs.
ChargeUK urges the Government to leave the mandate untouched and instead take steps to further boost demand for EVs by:
Helping to improve charging affordability – equalising VAT on public charging to 5%, addressing rising standing and capacity costs, and extending the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to charging
Boosting the visibility of charging sites by modernising outdated rules on signage, including on the Strategic Road Network
Giving drivers, particularly private buyers, additional confidence by delaying changes to the Expensive Car Supplement and Vehicle Excise Duty, and considering further demand incentives in consultation with industry
ChargeUK also called on the Government to limit sales of hybrid cars to PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) between 2030-35, to support a genuine switch to zero emission vehicles.
As outlined by a recent National Audit Office report, the charging sector is currently on track to deliver the charging network needed for 2030. This rapid growth, which represents more than £6 billion in committed private investment and is predicted to create over 10,000 skilled British jobs by 2030, has been made possible because of the demand certainty provided by the ZEV mandate.
The public charging network grew by 37% in 2024 and now stands at nearly 75,000 charge points. Combined with 850,000 home and workplace chargers, currently there is close to one charger for every EV.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said, “Our response to the ZEV mandate consultation is straightforward – we need to maintain and build on the conditions that have led to the recent growth in charge point deployment, and that have been pivotal in supporting record levels of EVs sales.
“The charge point industry has been working ahead of demand, installing nearly 75,000 public charge points and over ten times as many home and workplace chargers, enabling drivers to switch to EVs with confidence.
“Any change in the clear, predictable demand signal that the ZEV mandate has provided to date will negatively impact investor confidence, leading to a slow-down in rollout, higher prices for consumers and a more challenging environment in which to sell EVs.
“Instead Government should stick to the existing mandate and focus on further supporting and stimulating demand for EVs.
“The charging sector is already delivering the world-class charging network that will power Britain's zero emission future. But we can only do so with continued policy certainty. We look forward to working with government to maintain the momentum we have built and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this vital transition.”