Government reopens ZEV targets to consultation until October 2026

The government has reopened the ZEV mandate for review, putting the trajectory to 2030 and 2035 back into consultation rather than settled law. For anyone building a three-year vehicle order plan right now, that is a live variable, not background noise. The consultation runs until 23 October 2026.

The framework it is reviewing still points one way: petrol and diesel car sales phased out by 2030, with all new cars and vans required to be zero-emission by 2035. The government is keen to stress this isn't a mandate in retreat - electric cars now account for more than one in four new car sales, sales were up 45% in July against the same month last year, and over 2 million EVs are already on UK roads. The Electric Car Grant, worth up to £3,750 off a new EV, remains in place alongside the review, per the DfT announcement.

Why this matters: nothing in the current targets has changed yet, but a review invites lobbying on flexibilities, credits and timing that could reshape compliance costs before 2030 arrives. Fleets weighing van and car orders against future ZEV credit exposure should submit views before 23 October 2026 rather than wait for the outcome to land on them.