UK– As part of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy, the regulatory framework (zero-emission vehicle mandate) setting out the pathway to a zero-emission vehicle transition, proposed by the Department for Transport, has now become law (January 3, 2024). All new sales of cars and vans powered solely by an internal combustion engine (ICE) will be banned by 2035, with heavy-goods vehicles following suit in 2040. The UK was one of the first countries to commit to a legislated phase-out of fossil fuel-driven vehicles. This has been backed by the GBP 2 billion already invested by the UK government to expand charging infrastructure as well as subsidies, aimed at incentivising operators and private individuals to procure zero-emission vehicles. Schemes to lower the upfront EV purchase include the plug-in van grant of up to GBP 2,500 for small vans and GBP 5,000 for large vans.

According to a statement from the Department for Transport (DfT): “The zero-emission vehicle mandate (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.”