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Open consultation

Zero emission vehicle mandate review

Summary

Seeks views on the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and its effectiveness in the UK.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

This consultation seeks views on the operation of the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS) Order, known as the ZEV Mandate, as part of the government’s commitment to reviewing the VETS order by early 2027.

This will ensure that the policy remains effective in delivering the transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs), while supporting consumers, industry and the UK’s wider decarbonisation objectives.

The consultation is structured in 5 parts. As the VETS Order is devolved legislation, parts 1 to 4 of the consultation are conducted jointly by the UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Part 5 policy is reserved to the jurisdiction of the UK Parliament and, as a result, only the UK government is consulting on this area.

Part 1 sets out the impact of the ZEV Mandate in the UK, part 2 outlines emerging issues and part 3 sets out policy options and areas we are seeking views on. This includes:

  • the current ZEV trajectory and yearly headline targets 
  • effectiveness of existing compliance flexibilities 
  • alternative policy approaches to address the challenges identified in part 2
  • other potential technical updates

Part 4 details the carbon impact of the potential policy options in part 3. 

Finally, part 5 sets options for defining the phase out of new cars relying solely on internal combustion engines by 2030, which the UK government committed to in April 2025.

Evidence from this consultation may inform potential future amendments to the VETS order.

Documents

Zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate review

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Ways to respond

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Email to:

zevmandate@dft.gov.uk

Write to:

ZEV Mandate review team
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR

Updates to this page

Published 14 August 2026

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