U-turn on electric vehicle plans 'would add 13% to UK emissions'

Backtracking on the UK's electric vehicle plans would blow the government's much feted climate target by 13% in a worst-case scenario, according to new analysis shared exclusively with Sky News.

It comes as 20 environmental and electric vehicle organisations today write to the embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to stay the course.

"Electric vehicles are one of our most important tools for energy security and are set to almost halve the UK's reliance on oil imports between 2024 and 2040," wrote groups including Greenpeace, WWF, and Mums For Lungs.

Ministers are reportedly planning to water down the UK's electric vehicle sales target, from 80% of new vehicles in 2030 to potentially as low as 50%.

Some UK car manufacturers and workers' unions are worried the higher goal would drive some plants out of business.

But such a slowdown of EV sales would leave more polluting petrol and diesel vehicles on the road for longer, together emitting up to 70 metric tonnes (Mt) more carbon dioxide between 2038 and 2042, according to research by the Green Alliance thinktank.

This would add a significant extra 13% of emissions onto the government's climate target for that period, which it is hoping to get through a parliamentary vote on Wednesday.

That critical climate target was first confirmed by minister Katie White in an exclusive interview with Sky News earlier this month.

Holly Brazier Tope, of Green Alliance, said: "At a time when EVs are helping drivers save money, reducing reliance on imported oil and attracting investment into the UK's automotive industry, the government should provide certainty and stay the course on the transition to clean transport."

But some manufacturers say they have to artificially discount the EVs to stimulate demand, generating a major bill that threatens the viability of the industry and British jobs.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of industry group The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said industry is "committed to decarbonisation", but the problem is the "cost of compliance."

"Unsustainable discounting and payments to competitors to avoid fines are already costing jobs, threatening business viability and putting UK automotive manufacturing at risk."

Brands including VW, Hyundai, BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Renault, SAIC, Geely, BYD and Tesla are either on track to or could hit their targets.

Meanwhile, Stellantis, Toyota, Nissan, Tata, Mazda, Suzuki and Honda are all struggling.

Why don't some carmakers like the UK's EV target?

Electric vehicles often still cost more than petrol or diesel cars, but save up to £1,400 a year on running costs if charged at home, according to government data.

Sales have surged since the Iran conflict disrupted global fuel supplies. Registrations jumped 31% year on year in May, making them the fastest-growing segment of the market.

Carmakers hit their EV target - known as the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate - in 2024 and likely in 2025 too, the government said, via sales and flexibilities built into the scheme.

Manufacturers that fail to hit the EV quota are fined about £10,000 per car or forced to buy credits from rivals who are exceeding it.

Fears those fines will be unsustainable are driving manufacturers' anxieties about more ambitious targets.

Those firms are also competing with cheap, reliable Chinese EVs and in some cases have been slow to adopt EVs.

Major UK carmaker and employer Jaguar Land Rover currently has no pure electric car on the market.

Lower EV target will 'threaten charging infrastructure'

Green Alliance argues the answer to avoiding discounting or fines is to increase production to benefit from economies of scale.

Meanwhile, green finance chiefs warned that backtracking on the target would deter charging companies from investing in the UK just as they've been asked to urgently scale up.

UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association CEO James Alexander said: "This could threaten future financing for charging infrastructure, at a time when more and more consumers are seeking to switch to electric vehicles."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "It's never been easier or cheaper to own an EV. The ZEV Mandate is backed with £7.5bn to grow the market, boost EV manufacturing, increase sales and build up the UK charging network."

They said the government's £3,750 Electric Car Grant had helped more than 120,000 drivers buy an EV.

"The UK EV market is strong and growing, but we've always said we'll review the mandate to ensure taking a pragmatic and balanced approach that supports British industry and continues to drive investment."

(c) Sky News 2026: U-turn on electric vehicle plans 'would add 13% to UK emissions'