ZEV Mandate targets achievable in 2026, say dealers
New research has found that 57% of dealers believe ZEV Mandate targets will be met this year.
The ZEV Mandate stipulates that 33% of new cars sold in 2026 must be zero emission.
Despite this, January’s Startline Used Car Tracker also found that 44% think the government will revise the targets, while 20% believe those set for the rest of the decade are unachievable.
Paul Burgess, chief executive of Startline Motor Finance, said: “It’s perhaps a little surprising that so many dealers are feeling optimistic the 2026 target of 33% will be met.
“However, other indicators in our research have shown an improvement in sentiment among retailers toward electric cars in recent months and this finding is probably a reflection of that trend.
“Still, it’s clear the ZEV Mandate is an area where dealer opinion is very much divided, with 44% believing the targets are unattainable in their present form and will need to be revised and relaxed. Notably, the government has already said it will bring forward its date to re-examine these from 2027 to this year.”
The research also found a net 70% of dealers believe more government support is needed for new electric car sales, rising to 74% for used electric vehicles.
Burgess continued: “The high level of support for used car market intervention revealed here is notable. There is an argument that the functioning of the used market is the weakest area of the whole electrification process at the moment.
“Dealers often report that while electric cars generally sell quickly, low values are persisting and even potentially worsening.”
