UK government expected to reduce electric vehicle sales targets this week

The UK government is expected to reduce its electric vehicle sales targets this week after a review of the policy governing the phaseout of new petrol and diesel cars. The move would mark a significant adjustment to the current timetable for the transition to zero-emission vehicles. It is likely to be welcomed by carmakers, while environmental groups are expected to oppose it.

Under the existing rules, 80% of new cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2030. New petrol and diesel cars are due to be phased out by 2030, and by 2035 all new cars must be zero emission. The government has been consulting on whether to soften the 80% target, and a substantial reduction is now expected.

Downing Street has said no final decision has been made. A government source said ministers would approach the issue in a "pragmatic and balanced" way. Industry groups have long called for "urgent relief", arguing that the pace of change has been too fast.

The debate has also been taking place inside government, reflecting disagreement over how quickly the UK should move away from combustion-engine vehicles. The review comes amid wider pressure on ministers to balance climate policy with economic concerns. The decision matters because the 2030 target is one of the main policy levers shaping the UK's transition to electric transport.

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Any weakening of the rule could affect investment plans, production strategies and sales targets across the car industry. It could also become a test of how the government weighs industrial policy against its climate commitments. Sustainability groups have warned that easing the target could threaten the UK's long-term electrification goals.

The policy has been under consultation as ministers consider whether the current framework is realistic for manufacturers and consumers. The existing timetable has been central to the UK's broader plan to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. The review has therefore become part of a wider debate over how to manage the shift to cleaner transport without disrupting the automotive sector.

That debate has intensified as carmakers have pressed for more flexibility. What remains unclear is how far the target will be reduced and whether ministers will announce changes immediately. Downing Street has not confirmed the final outcome, and the exact shape of any revised policy is still unknown.

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