Charging industry executives have pushed back against suggestions that Britain is unprepared for electric cars, as ministers reportedly consider cutting the share of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%.
The response follows an impact assessment, Reverse the Charge, produced by the EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with Zest. It found that the fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live have risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could pass £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.
Manufacturers push for relief
Ministers are reportedly weighing a reduction in the 2030 requirement following pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. Reports also point to disagreements within Government over how far to relax the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of electric cars.
Charging bosses insist the infrastructure is already being delivered and should not be blamed for the difficulties facing carmakers.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence, and confidence depends on certainty. He warned that speculation about weakening the ZEV mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain's electric future, and argued the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions. Ofgem's fixed grid charges, he added, are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved, and further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and making the UK less attractive for investment than other markets.
Market uptake and mandate flexibilities
Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive. EV advocates argue the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of the electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead when even ministers appear unable to agree on direction, and argued the Government must not let private companies dictate environmental policy. She 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 do need consideration, she added, because 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, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses' practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
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 said, would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways, and a consistent policy framework would deliver 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.
The Government insists no final decision has been taken and says it remains committed to ending sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030, with all new car and van sales required to be zero-emission by 2035. A decision on the mandate is expected following further ministerial discussions this week.