The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is expected to come into force from January 2024, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which said the measure "will set a minimum quota for new battery electric vehicle registrations for every brand"1. The House of Commons Library records that the government introduced the zero emission vehicle mandate for car manufacturers in January 2024, intended to provide greater certainty to manufacturers and a greater range of electric vehicle options to consumers2.
The mandate specifies the minimum proportion of car manufacturers' sales that must be zero-emission vehicles. That proportion rises from 22% in 2024 to 80% by 2030, and 100% in 20352. Following a consultation, the government said in April 2025 that it would relax some of the mandate rules2. The same month it confirmed an end to the sale of new pure petrol or diesel cars in 2030, with an end to new pure petrol and diesel vans in 2035 and hybrid car sales permitted between 2030 and 20352.
The SMMT's figures, published in June 2023, set out the market position ahead of the mandate. New car registrations grew 16.7% in May 2023 to reach 145,204 units, a tenth consecutive month of growth, though registrations remained 21.0% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, when May registrations were 183,7241. Battery electric vehicles took a 16.9% market share, with 24,513 joining the road in the month, up 58.7% on May 20221. Petrol-powered cars remained the best sellers at 57.1% of registrations, with plug-in hybrids at 6.2% and hybrids at 12.3%1.
The SMMT said the new battery electric vehicles then on sale had an average battery range of 236 miles, against UK drivers' average weekly mileage of around 100 miles1. It added that ensuring market demand would "require action from every stakeholder", citing a supportive fiscal framework, simplified planning processes, faster grid connections and a nationwide network of reliable, affordable and sustainable charge points1.
"From January we expect to see the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate in force, which will set a minimum quota for new battery electric vehicle registrations for every brand."
Why it matters for households
The mandate acts on what manufacturers may sell as new, not on what households may buy or keep. Its effect on a home's energy independence runs through the share of new cars that can be charged from the grid rather than filled with petrol or diesel. The Commons Library records that 3% of cars (1.09 million) were battery electric in the UK at the end of June 2024, and 8% were hybrid electric, with battery electric cars at 19% of all new car registrations at that date, up from 1% in 20182.
Charging at home depends on off-street parking and on the electricity supply. The Commons Library notes that increasing EV numbers will reduce petrol and diesel demand but add to electricity demand, and that National Grid ESO has said the transition will be managed within the range the grid can handle2. It also notes that EV batteries can charge at optimum times, known as smart charging, and supply electricity at times of high demand, known as vehicle to grid2. The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee said in its 2024 inquiry into EV strategy that demand for electric cars is being constrained by upfront cost, inadequate charging infrastructure and general consumer scepticism2.
What happens next
The mandate's minimum zero-emission share rises to 80% by 2030 and 100% in 20352. The government confirmed in April 2025 that it will relax some of the mandate rules2. The Commons Library records that the Rapid Charging Fund, announced in 2020 to increase chargepoints at motorway service stations, has still not opened to bids2. It also records that in December 2024 the government published guidance for local authorities on cross-pavement charging solutions2.
Sources2 cited
- New car market maintains momentum with tenth month of growth - SMMT, smmt.co.uk
- Electric vehicles and infrastructure - House of Commons Library, commonslibrary.parliament.uk