IMI responds to reports the Government will revise ZEV mandate targets

Responding to reports that the Government is set to reduce the ZEV mandate's 2030 target from 80% to 50% of new car sales, Nick Connor, Chief Executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), said:

"We welcome the news that the ZEV Mandate is set to be reviewed, but whatever the final figure turns out to be, the direction of travel hasn't changed - the UK is moving to electric vehicles, and the automotive workforce needs to be ready for that future regardless of where the target line is drawn.

“The government needs to strike a balance right now. Targets have to be realistic and deliverable, for manufacturers, for the supply chain, and for the consumers who'll ultimately decide how quickly this transition happens.

“However, it’s important that a relaxed target isn’t seen by the wider sector as a signal to slow down on training and skills investment. Every electric vehicle already on UK roads, regardless of what happens to the 2030 target, will need a technician qualified to work on it safely throughout its life. Yet our latest IMI EV TechSafe data shows that only around a third of UK technicians currently hold an EV qualification.

“The government needs to ensure that while adjusting the targets it puts a focus on skills training.  And it needs to provide certainty. The automotive sector has endured too much switching of targets and deadlines in the last decade.  It needs a clear picture about the pace of transition so that training providers, employers and individuals can plan investment in skills with confidence. That's the balancing act that matters most: realistic targets for vehicle sales, matched by an unwavering commitment to making sure the workforce is ready to support them."