Review of ZEV Mandate Must Be Brought Forward, Says SMMT

2025 new-car results confirm EV sales missed government mandate

The 2.02m new cars that found homes in 2025 may have cemented the UK’s position as the second-largest automotive market in Europe, but the year’s official registration figures have also revealed that car makers failed to meet the government mandate for EV registrations.

'Unachievable' EV targets need review as new car sales hit two million

Fleet and business registrations dominated the new car market again in 2025, grabbing 61.4% market share.

1 in 4 new cars in 2025 was an EV but ‘sales pace still too slow’

Electric cars accounted for almost a quarter of new car registrations in 2025, with almost half a million new EVs taking to the road. A total of 473,348 new EVs were registered in 2025 – more than the whole of 2021 and 2022 combined – as customer interest continued to grow. EV uptake rose by 23.9% and accelerated towards the end of the year as the Electric Car Grant and manufacturer offers drew in buyers. In contrast, sales of petrol and diesel …

Review of ZEV Mandate must be brought forward, says SMMT

The head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is urging the UK Government to bring forward a review of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate (ZEV Mandate) because the current targets are unachievable.