Minister responds to NFDA's ZEV Mandate letter

The government is retaining its commitment to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate’s headline targets, transport minister Keir Minister has written.

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) says it has received a formal ministerial response to a letter call for a re-evaluation of the ZEV Mandate.
NFDA wrote urging the government to review the ZEV Mandate in light of recent European Commission announcements on CO2 regulation, and to ensure that the UK’s approach remains pragmatic, flexible, and supportive of both retailers and consumers. 

The NFDA reiterated the need for policy stability, meaningful fiscal incentives for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and a robust, accessible charging infrastructure to underpin the transition to zero emission vehicles. 

In his response, Keir Mather, minister for aviation, maritime and decarbonisation acknowledged the vital role of franchised retailers in the UK’s ZEV transition and outlined the government’s ongoing commitment to the ZEV Mandate’s headline targets. 

The minister highlighted recent measures to support the sector, including the extension of the Electric Car Grant, increased funding for charging infrastructure, and proposed reforms to EV taxation. He also confirmed that the government will begin engagement with stakeholders in 2026 ahead of the scheduled 2027 review of the ZEV Mandate. 

Sue Robinson, chief executive, NFDA said:  “We welcome the minister’s recognition of the challenges and opportunities facing our sector as we transition to zero-emission vehicles. While we support the UK’s net zero ambitions, it is vital that the ZEV Mandate remains achievable and that retailers and consumers are given the right support to deliver on these targets. We will continue to engage constructively with government to ensure our members’ voices are heard and that the transition is both fair and sustainable.”