UK consumers will be able to buy new petrol cars in greater numbers and for longer than planned, following a successful lobbying campaign by the automotive industry that has weakened the government’s green transport rules.
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate was designed to steadily reduce the proportion of fossil-fuelled cars sold each year. However, manufacturers argued the targets were too strict and would cause significant economic damage, including job losses.
In response to this pressure, the government introduced new “flexibilities” in April. This change effectively lowers the number of electric cars that manufacturers must sell in the coming years, meaning more petrol and hybrid models can be sold to fill the gap without incurring penalties.
This development has been welcomed by the industry, which says it aligns the rules with real-world consumer demand. However, it represents a setback for air quality and climate goals, as it will result in higher carbon emissions from the transport sector than originally projected.