Public opinion appears divided over the speed at which the UK should move towards electric vehicles, with new polling indicating that 37% of people believe the Government should slow the transition.
However, the findings also show that there is no clear majority in favour of changing course. Around 34% of respondents believe the current pace of the move to electric vehicles is appropriate, while 19% would prefer the Government to bring forward the planned end of new petrol and diesel car sales.
Views vary considerably between political groups. Among people who voted Labour at the 2024 General Election, 21% said the transition should be slowed, compared with 27% who believe it should be accelerated. The largest proportion of Labour voters – 41% – said the current rate of change is about right.
Green Party voters were the most supportive of maintaining or increasing the pace of electrification, with 30% backing the current rate and 46% wanting the transition to move faster. Liberal Democrat voters also showed strong support for maintaining or accelerating the switch, with 39% favouring the current pace and 25% calling for it to be sped up.
ZEV Mandate Under Increasing Scrutiny
The polling comes as the Government faces growing speculation that changes could be made to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate.
Under the current framework, manufacturers are required to ensure that 33% of new cars sold in 2026 are zero-emission vehicles, with the proportion scheduled to increase substantially over the remainder of the decade. The existing trajectory currently takes the requirement to 80% of new cars by 2030.
The Government’s plans also envisage an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, although some hybrid vehicles are expected to remain available until 2035.
Manufacturers already have a number of mechanisms available to help them meet their ZEV targets and avoid financial penalties. However, reports have suggested that the Government could be considering a significant reduction in the 2030 requirement, potentially cutting it from 80% to around 50%.
Greater flexibility could also be introduced around how manufacturers achieve their annual targets.
Younger Drivers More Supportive Of Faster EV Adoption
Age appears to be another important factor in attitudes towards the UK’s transition to electric vehicles.
Polling suggests that younger people are considerably more likely to support accelerating the move towards cleaner transport. Among 18-to-24-year-olds, 36% said they would like to see the transition happen faster.
That figure falls to 21% among those aged between 25 and 49, before dropping further to 14% for 50-to-64-year-olds. Just 11% of people aged 65 and over said they wanted the transition accelerated.
ChargeUK argues that slowing the UK’s EV ambitions could therefore create difficulties for Labour among younger voters.
Jarrod Birch, head of policy and public affairs at ChargeUK, said the polling demonstrates support for cleaner and potentially cheaper motoring, particularly among Labour voters. He called for the Government to maintain a firm ZEV Mandate while also addressing the costs associated with public EV charging.
Birch also pointed to the growing number of people already driving electric vehicles, arguing that consumers are increasingly benefiting from the potential savings associated with electric motoring.
Political Pressure Over The ZEV Mandate
The prospect of weakening the ZEV Mandate has also attracted criticism from politicians and representatives of the wider electric vehicle industry.
Perran Moon MP, chair of the Electric Vehicle All-Party Parliamentary Group, said the polling highlights the potential political consequences of reducing the UK’s EV targets.
He argued that Government policy should take into account the wider EV supply chain, including domestic lithium extraction, battery manufacturing and charging infrastructure, rather than focusing primarily on established vehicle manufacturers.
Moon also highlighted the fact that a large proportion of vehicles produced in the UK are exported and therefore do not fall under the domestic ZEV Mandate.
He argued that reducing the mandate could ultimately make it easier to delay the planned 2030 end to new petrol and diesel car sales, which was included in the Government’s election manifesto.
What Happens Next For The UK’s EV Transition?
The debate over the future of the UK’s electric vehicle strategy is likely to continue as the Government considers whether changes to the ZEV Mandate are necessary.
The latest polling demonstrates that public opinion is far from uniform. While a significant proportion of people want the transition slowed, a similar number are comfortable with the current timetable, while a smaller but substantial group would prefer faster progress.
With the Government also facing pressure from vehicle manufacturers, the charging industry and environmental groups, any changes to the ZEV Mandate could have significant consequences for the UK’s new-car market and the wider transition towards electric transport.
For motorists and businesses considering their next vehicle, the direction of Government policy will remain an important factor when assessing the future availability of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles.
Related Guide: ULEZ & Clean Air Zones
The UK’s transition towards cleaner vehicles is also closely linked to the expansion of ULEZ, Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones across the country. For a closer look at the rules, charges and vehicle requirements, see our complete guide:
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