Cross-party pledges regarding ZEV mandate

Four of the five main UK political parties’ manifestos are proposing to move the goalposts regarding the zero-emission vehicle mandate if they get elected on 4 July 2024.

The Labour Party and Lib Dems have stipulated that all new vehicles sold will need to be emission-free by 2030, while the Green Party has pledged to move the mandate forward to 2027.

The Conservative and Unionists Party remain steadfast that all cars and vans should be zero-rated by 2035. In stark contrast, Reform UK believes in scrapping net-zero and related subsidies.

Here’s what they say:

Conservative and Unionist Party

“The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030. 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035, which is in-line with other major global economies such as France, Germany, Sweden and Canada.” Source. Manifesto.

Labour Party

“Further support drivers by tackling the soaring cost of car insurance. And, as set out in our automotive sector plan (2023), Labour will support the transition to electric vehicles by accelerating the roll out of charge points, giving certainty to manufacturers by restoring the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines and supporting buyers of second-hand electric cars by standardising the information supplied on the condition of batteries.” Source (p33).

Liberal Democrats

“By investing in electric vehicles and clean public transport, as well as encouraging walking and cycling, the Liberal Democrats will enhance local, regional and national connectivity while boosting the economy, protecting the environment and improving public health. We will make it cheaper and easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles by rapidly rolling out far more charging points, reintroducing the plug-in car grant, and restoring the requirement that every new car and small van sold from 2030 is zero-emission.” Source (p79)

Green Party

“EVs have a place in our future transport system but even a wholesale switch would still not deliver on our ambitious plan to make our roads safer and greener. Elected Greens would therefore also push for an end to sales of new petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles by 2027 and to the use of petrol and diesel vehicles on the road by 2035; making road tax proportional to vehicle weight; 20 miles per hour to be the default speed limit on roads in all built-up areas; more government support for ordinary car users and small businesses to replace their vehicles as diesel and petrol engines are phased out; more support for firms using heavy goods vehicles to transition away from internal combustion engines.” Source (p32)

Reform UK

“The UK cost of Net Zero has been estimated by the National Grid and others at some £2 trillion or more. It is so big that no one really knows. The public sector is spending billions each year with no accountability or transparency. Ditching Net Zero would save the public sector some £20 billion per year for the next 25 years, possibly more.” Source