Charging industry leaders have pushed back against suggestions that Britain is not ready for electric cars, warning that reports of a weaker 2030 target could deter investment and leave motorists paying more. The intervention comes as ministers reportedly consider reducing the proportion of new cars that must be electric by 2030 from 80% to 60%.
The debate follows the publication of Reverse the Charge, an impact assessment by EV newsletter The Fast Charge in partnership with charging company Zest. It found that fixed grid charges paid to keep a single rapid charger live have risen by 616% since 2021, from £61.47 a week to £440.13. The report warns that rapid charging could pass £1 per kWh next year, with drivers who lack off-street parking likely to be hardest hit, and calls on Ofgem to address the capacity-based billing behind the increase.
Manufacturers press for relief
Ministers are reported to be weighing the cut after pressure from manufacturers concerned about costs, jobs and consumer demand. Charging executives, however, argue that the infrastructure is already being delivered and should not be blamed for the challenges facing carmakers.
Robin Heap, chief executive of Zest, said investment follows confidence and confidence depends on certainty. He warned that speculation about weakening the zero-emission vehicle mandate sends the wrong signal to businesses committing millions to Britain’s electric future. According to Heap, the transition needs long-term thinking rather than short-term concessions, and Ofgem’s fixed grid charges are already causing charging projects to be scaled back or shelved. Further uncertainty over EV targets risks delaying investment, slowing progress and ultimately leaving drivers worse off, he added, making the UK less attractive than other markets.
Mandate flexibilities disputed
The row reflects reported disagreements within government over how far to relax the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing share of electric cars. Manufacturers have warned that demand is not keeping pace with the targets, while EV advocates argue that the existing rules already give carmakers considerable room to meet their obligations. Almost one in three new cars sold in October was fully electric, according to public data from New AutoMotive.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of electric car buying and advice site Electrifying.com, said drivers and businesses need a clear road ahead, yet even ministers appear unable to agree on direction. With EV uptake rising and more affordable models available, she argued, now is the time to build confidence rather than weaken it, and the government should not let private companies dictate environmental policy. Buckley said the ZEV mandate already includes substantial flexibilities and that analysis suggests the car market collectively is ahead of its estimated requirement once CO2 flexibilities are included. She added that vans need separate consideration because electric cars and vans are moving at very different speeds, leaving some manufacturers relying on surplus electric car credits to avoid fines on van sales. Purchase grants and charging support already exist, but ministers should assess whether they address businesses’ practical barriers and set a more realistic trajectory for vans.
Drivers without driveways
Yann Marston, chief revenue officer at char.gy, said the charging network is growing ahead of government targets and is ready to support more drivers making the switch. Keeping ambitious EV targets in place would help ensure drivers have access to more affordable electric cars, particularly those without driveways, who often face the biggest barriers, he said. Drivers need more choice and greater confidence, and a consistent policy framework would help deliver both.
Investors have warned that repeated changes to the rules could make Britain a less attractive place to fund new charging infrastructure. The government insists no final decision has been taken and says it remains committed to ending sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030, with all new car and van sales required to be zero-emission by 2035. A decision on the mandate is expected following further ministerial discussions this week.