The UK Government has committed to introducing a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate from 1 January 2024, according to a Northern Ireland Department of Finance building regulations document1. The regulation will set targets requiring an increasing percentage of each manufacturer's new car or van sales to be zero emission each year1. Ministerial agreement means the proposed regulation is extended to Northern Ireland1.
The final consultation on the mandate and on CO2 emissions regulation for new cars and vans in the UK was carried out jointly by the UK government and the devolved administrations, published on Friday, 31 March and closed on Wednesday, 24 May1. Two of three consultations had been completed at that point1. Following completion of the final consultation, legislation is likely to have to be introduced to support the regulation1.
Sales of zero-emission vehicles currently make up circa 7% of total new cars registered in Northern Ireland, and the mandate has the potential to accelerate uptake by setting quotas for manufacturers that will be achieved through sales by car dealerships1. In March 2023 there were 1.25 million registered vehicles in Northern Ireland, of which around 12,890 were Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles, or 1.1%1. A research project commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure and produced by Steer forecasts between 60,000 and 125,000 electric vehicles in Northern Ireland by 20251.
The document sets out the wider context for the mandate. Transport is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland, and the UK Government is banning the sale of new fully petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and hybrids from 20351. The document states that in the region of 80% of properties in Northern Ireland have access to a driveway, and that charging an electric vehicle at home overnight will continue to provide the most convenient and cost-effective opportunity for most households1. It adds that charging at home is cheaper, offers added convenience, and makes it possible for electric vehicles to play a major part in the overall energy and transportation systems, with the expectation that the majority of electric car charging is likely to take place at home1.
The same document consults on electric vehicle infrastructure requirements under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, to be introduced through amendments to the Building Regulations requiring charging points or ducting infrastructure in all new dwellings, or buildings undergoing major renovation1. The minimum EPBD requirements are set out below; the document notes that proposals go further than these minimums1.
| Category of building | EPBD requirement |
|---|---|
| New non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces | At least one charging point; ducting for at least one in every five parking spaces |
| New residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces | Ducting infrastructure for every parking space |
| New domestic dwellings with a parking space within the dwelling curtilage | None |
| Existing non-domestic buildings undergoing major renovation with more than 10 parking spaces | At least one charging point; ducting for at least one in every five parking spaces |
| Existing non-domestic buildings with more than 20 parking spaces | Minimum number of charging points by 01 January 2025 |
| Existing domestic dwellings undergoing major renovation with more than 10 parking spaces | Ducting infrastructure for every parking space |
"The UK Government has committed to introducing a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate from 1 January 2024."
Why it matters for households
The mandate works on manufacturers and dealerships rather than on drivers, so it does not restrict what a household may buy or drive. Its practical effect for a home is on the vehicles available in the new car market and, in turn, on the case for charging at home. The document states that home charging is expected to be the central component of the future charging ecosystem and that most charging is likely to take place at home1, which places the cost and capacity of a household's electricity supply at the centre of running costs. It also notes that at-home charging will increase a building's electricity use, while potentially improving the share of on-site renewable generation used at the building, and that time-of-day charging, on-site storage and bi-directional provision complicate standardised assessment1. For homes without a driveway, the document points to workplace, leisure, communal and on-street charging as the key options1. The building regulations proposals would affect new dwellings and buildings undergoing major renovation rather than existing homes generally1.
What happens next
Legislation is likely to have to be introduced to support the regulation on the ZEV mandate following the final consultation1. The consultation on the mandate and CO2 emissions regulation closed on Wednesday, 24 May1. The separate Northern Ireland consultation on energy efficiency requirements and related areas of Building Regulations, including the electric vehicle infrastructure proposals, was published on Friday, 31 March and closed on Wednesday, 24 May1. The document also notes that NIE Networks recently launched its RP7 business case1.
Sources1 cited
- Section3E, consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk