Government needs “radical action” to sort ZEV mandate issues

Radical action is required to solve issues surrounding the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate, argues FleetCheck. 

With the official consultation into the regulations now open, Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, says that the core problem with the ZEV Mandate is that there is a wide mismatch between real world demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and the artificially inflated supply that the policy creates. 

“Any changes need to bridge that gap, which is especially apparent in the van sector,” he said. “However, the leaked Government ideas that we have seen in the press so far – allowing mild hybrids to stay on sale for longer, adding EVs made for export into manufacturer figures, or combining electric car and van sales – look more like window dressing. 

“They might move the percentage targets a couple of points but don’t tackle the fundamental demand-supply issue.”

Golding says that what has been reported amounts to little more than “tinkering” and is unlikely to help resolve the problems facing manufacturers.

He continued: “Labour appears to have a strong political and ethical commitment to the targets and there is nothing wrong with that. Almost everyone acknowledges that transport has its part to play in reducing carbon emissions.

“However, the market needs much higher levels of support if those targets are going to be met. That might mean a 50% reduction on VAT for EVs, as the SMMT has suggested, or some other form of substantial subsidy.”

A deep underlying issue, he added, was that the infrastructure needed to be radically upgraded for people without the potential to install off-street charging.

“Estimates vary but something like 30-40% of people living in terraced housing or apartments can’t install their own charger,” explained Golding. 

“Probably the only local options available to them are a couple of expensive, high-speed chargers at their local petrol station and some cheaper but much slower ones at their nearest big supermarket. 

“These people are being effectively excluded from the EV market and won’t be able to genuinely consider moving out of their petrol or diesel vehicle until low-cost charging is made available on their street. This needs to change – and quickly. 

“People cannot electrify unless it is made practical for them.”