Britain's charging industry has pushed back against suggestions that the government could sharply weaken its electric vehicle sales targets, warning that motorists and investors would bear the cost of any retreat.
Ministers are reportedly considering lowering the share of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%, following pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. The government says no final decision has been taken and that it still intends to end sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030, with all new car and van sales zero-emission by 2035. A decision is expected after further ministerial discussions this week.
Rapid charging costs 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 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could exceed £1 per kWh next year, hitting drivers without off-street parking hardest, and calls on Ofgem to urgently fix the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, argued that the infrastructure is already being delivered and should not be blamed for the challenges facing carmakers. "Investment follows confidence, and confidence depends on certainty," he said, warning that speculation about weakening the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future. He said the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, adding that disproportionate fixed grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved, and that further uncertainty risks leaving drivers worse off and making the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
Mandate flexibilities disputed
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. She argued that with growing uptake and a widening choice of affordable electric models, the priority should be building confidence rather than weakening it, and that the government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy.
Buckley said the ZEV 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 argued, do need separate consideration, since 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, she said, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses' practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
According to public data from New AutoMotive, almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric.
Drivers without driveways
The dispute also raises questions about drivers who cannot charge at home and depend on public charging. 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. Keeping ambitious EV targets in place, he argued, would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways who often face the biggest barriers, adding that a consistent policy framework would deliver both more choice and greater confidence.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure.