A record month for UK electric car sales has been met with mixed reactions, as climate policy experts question whether the achievement is being undermined by loopholes in the government’s own regulations. The coincidence of a sales boom with the weakening of the ZEV mandate raises serious concerns about the UK’s commitment to its long-term climate goals.
The September sales figures were undoubtedly impressive, with pure EV uptake rising by nearly a third. This progress is essential for decarbonizing transport, one of the UK’s largest sources of emissions. On the surface, it appears the country is firmly on the right track.
However, digging deeper reveals a more complicated picture. The ZEV mandate, the primary legal tool to enforce the transition, was made more “flexible” by the government in April. This change, which allows automakers to offset their obligations, was explicitly criticized by the official Climate Change Committee. They warned the move was “likely to lead to higher carbon emissions,” a statement that stands in stark contrast to the mandate’s purpose.
This policy dilution means that the regulatory pressure on manufacturers has been reduced. A thinktank, New Automotive, calculates that the real-world EV sales target is now significantly lower than the 28% headline figure. So, while more EVs are being sold thanks to a temporary subsidy, the system designed to guarantee that progress is sustained and accelerated has been compromised.
This creates a worrying disconnect. The UK may be winning the battle of monthly sales figures but losing the war on transport emissions. The current sales record, achieved within a weakened policy framework, may give a false sense of security, masking a less ambitious and ultimately less effective climate strategy.
