EVA England calls for ZEV Mandate stability
EVA England has called for ‘stability’ around the ZEV Mandate, arguing that September sales figures reveal a healthy demand for electric vehicles.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders found that 99,199 new electric vehicles were registered during the month, up 36.3% on the same period last year. That equates to almost five new electric cars joining UK roads every minute throughout September.
EVA England CEO Vicky Edmonds said: “These figures reinforce the case for stability in the ZEV Mandate, not more uncertainty around it. Nearly 100,000 new electric cars were registered in September alone. That’s clear evidence that growing numbers of drivers are convinced electric works for them.
“The challenge now is bringing the next wave of drivers with us by tackling the barriers that are genuinely holding people back: upfront cost, the gulf between home and public charging, and a charging network that still isn’t reliable, accessible or easy enough to use. Greater policy uncertainty risks weakening, rather than strengthening, that momentum.”
Minister for Climate Transition Katie White added: “Britain’s electric car boom is alive and well. People are making the switch because it’s greener, but also because it’s an upgrade: quicker acceleration, a quieter, smoother drive and cheaper running costs.
“I’ve driven electric for six years and long gone are the days of worrying about making it to the next charger. We now have more public chargers than petrol pumps, longer ranges and up to £3,750 off an eligible new EV through our Electric Car Grant. Going electric is increasingly a no-brainer, and that’s great news for drivers, our economy and the planet.”
