- By the end of 2026, Zapmap says that in the UK, there will be 5,100,000 plug-in electric car sales, and the number could reach 121,171, according to Zapmap.
- Tempo of growth of car sales could be affected by the ZEV mandate; the analysis suggests that by 2030 the share of EVs could rise from 80% to 50%.
- In 2026, pure battery electric cars are expected to account for 35.0%, while the minimum share of ZEV for new cars that year could be 33%.
UK-based analysis suggests that the sales of electric cars could be affected by the ZEV mandate. The Guardian, citing Zapmap.
According to Zapmap data, companies have already sold 5,100 plug-in electric cars by the end of 2026. The figure is 121,171, which is more than 10% higher than the same period last year.
The material states that for the period until 2030, sales of electric cars could total 300,000. At the same time, the number of electric cars in other parts of the UK could be 2 million.
The Guardian reports that while the current two-year period of car sales is expected to be affected by the ZEV mandate, the average reason is that the UK’s electric car market is developing through the introduction of new diesel engines. The publication also notes that the UK’s Electric Vehicle sales could be influenced by the ZEV mandate.
According to The Guardian, the company argues that the government’s review of the “flexibilities” mandate is intended to reduce the impact of the mandate on the sale of EVs. The material also states that the analysis suggests that the share of EV sales could rise from 80% to 50% by 2030.
In a separate statement, ChargeUK Jarrod Birch said that the number of charging points has increased over the past three years, while the share of EVs has been the highest; at the same time, he noted that the rollout of infrastructure is being hampered by the lack of new charging points, which is behind the ZEV mandate. Birch also said that the two-year mandate can be extended through the introduction of new points.
The Guardian also cites Zapmap data, according to which companies are installing ultra-rapid chargers: the number is up 37% year-on-year. The publication also notes that ultra-rapid chargers can deliver power of 150 kilowatts (kW) for faster charging.
Meanwhile, Independent reports that the number of electric car sales in the UK is still not enough for the green transition. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), in 2026, 213,166 new vehicles are expected to be registered, which is 11.4% more than the previous year, while pure battery electric cars are expected to account for 35.0%.
Independent adds that the SMMT warns of the importance of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate for new vehicles, which could be achieved by 33%. The material also notes that this is a key factor in the transition to electric vehicles.
Independent also quotes the general director of SMMT Mike Hawes, who said that the results are driven by the stronger demand for electric cars, but that the mandate is not being met. The article also cites Ian Plammer from Autotrader and Delvin Lane (InstaVolt), who says that the share of new EVs remains unchanged in the current period.