Osprey welcomes the ZEV mandate consultation
16/01/2025
Osprey Charging has expressed support for the UK Government’s recently launched consultation on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
The eight-week consultation, introduced by the Department for Transport, aims to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel vehicle sales while addressing key aspects of the transition to electric vehicles.
The consultation is divided into two parts, focusing on restoring clarity around the 2030 target and refining the existing ZEV mandate flexibilities. Osprey Charging has provided an accessible explanation of the consultation’s key components.
Part 1: Restoring the 2030 ICE phase-out date
This section seeks to reaffirm the 2030 deadline for ending the sale of solely petrol and diesel vehicles, a move aimed at providing certainty for manufacturers, investors, and consumers.
Key areas of focus:
-Hybrids: The consultation explores the criteria for hybrids that can be sold between 2030 and 2035, including drivetrain types, CO2 emission limits (measured in gCO2/km), and whether these standards should apply to individual vehicles or manufacturers.
-Vans: It asks whether non-ZEV vans sold after 2030 should adhere to the same requirements as passenger cars or have separate standards.
-Demand incentives: Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on current measures and suggest additional strategies to accelerate the adoption of ZEVs.
Part 2: Refining ZEV mandate flexibilities
The second part of the consultation focuses on potential updates to the ZEV mandate’s flexibilities, which are designed to ensure the effectiveness of the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS).
Key proposals:
-Time limits: The consultation seeks views on whether the current deadline for using flexibilities (set to expire in 2026) is still appropriate.
-Van-to-car transfers: The government proposes allowing overachievement in van sales to be transferred to meet car sales targets.
-Additional flexibilities: Stakeholders are encouraged to suggest other potential flexibilities for cars and vans within the VETS framework.
-Real-world CO2 data: A proposal to update VETS reflects new evidence that hybrids emit significantly more CO2 in real-world driving conditions than previously estimated.
Osprey charging’s perspective
Osprey Charging highlights that the consultation does not propose changes to the annual ZEV sales targets, which are critical to meeting the UK’s legally binding Carbon Budget. These targets are also essential for maintaining confidence in the UK’s eMobility sector, which has attracted billions of pounds in investment for battery electric vehicle (BEV) production and charging infrastructure expansion.
However, Osprey cautions that any changes allowing the sale of more polluting vehicles for longer could reduce the number of fully electric vehicles on UK roads, potentially slowing progress toward the nation’s sustainability goals.
Maintaining momentum in the EV transition
At this pivotal moment, Osprey emphasises the importance of maintaining momentum in the UK’s transition to sustainable transport. Any measures that undermine the adoption of BEVs could jeopardize the country’s leadership in the global shift to zero-emission mobility.
The consultation remains open for eight weeks, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to shape the future of the UK’s ZEV policies and ensure a smooth transition to a cleaner, greener transport system.
The consultation is divided into two parts, focusing on restoring clarity around the 2030 target and refining the existing ZEV mandate flexibilities. Osprey Charging has provided an accessible explanation of the consultation’s key components.
Part 1: Restoring the 2030 ICE phase-out date
This section seeks to reaffirm the 2030 deadline for ending the sale of solely petrol and diesel vehicles, a move aimed at providing certainty for manufacturers, investors, and consumers.
Key areas of focus:
-Hybrids: The consultation explores the criteria for hybrids that can be sold between 2030 and 2035, including drivetrain types, CO2 emission limits (measured in gCO2/km), and whether these standards should apply to individual vehicles or manufacturers.
-Vans: It asks whether non-ZEV vans sold after 2030 should adhere to the same requirements as passenger cars or have separate standards.
-Demand incentives: Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on current measures and suggest additional strategies to accelerate the adoption of ZEVs.
Part 2: Refining ZEV mandate flexibilities
The second part of the consultation focuses on potential updates to the ZEV mandate’s flexibilities, which are designed to ensure the effectiveness of the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS).
Key proposals:
-Time limits: The consultation seeks views on whether the current deadline for using flexibilities (set to expire in 2026) is still appropriate.
-Van-to-car transfers: The government proposes allowing overachievement in van sales to be transferred to meet car sales targets.
-Additional flexibilities: Stakeholders are encouraged to suggest other potential flexibilities for cars and vans within the VETS framework.
-Real-world CO2 data: A proposal to update VETS reflects new evidence that hybrids emit significantly more CO2 in real-world driving conditions than previously estimated.
Osprey charging’s perspective
Osprey Charging highlights that the consultation does not propose changes to the annual ZEV sales targets, which are critical to meeting the UK’s legally binding Carbon Budget. These targets are also essential for maintaining confidence in the UK’s eMobility sector, which has attracted billions of pounds in investment for battery electric vehicle (BEV) production and charging infrastructure expansion.
However, Osprey cautions that any changes allowing the sale of more polluting vehicles for longer could reduce the number of fully electric vehicles on UK roads, potentially slowing progress toward the nation’s sustainability goals.
Maintaining momentum in the EV transition
At this pivotal moment, Osprey emphasises the importance of maintaining momentum in the UK’s transition to sustainable transport. Any measures that undermine the adoption of BEVs could jeopardize the country’s leadership in the global shift to zero-emission mobility.
The consultation remains open for eight weeks, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to shape the future of the UK’s ZEV policies and ensure a smooth transition to a cleaner, greener transport system.