EV targets set to be eased – this week in motoring
It's a big week for anyone planning their next car or van. The government is expected to decide on Wednesday whether to water down its electric car targets. We've also got the latest on fuel prices, a warning about used EV values, a boost for electric trucks – and a speed record that's hard to believe.
Electric car targets: the 2030 goal looks set to be cut
Under the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, 33% of each manufacturer's new car sales must be zero-emission this year, rising to 38% in 2027, 52% in 2028, 66% in 2029 and 80% in 2030. The Guardian reports that ministers are expected to cut the 2030 figure to around 60%, with the rest of sales expected to be hybrids, and to extend the scheme's flexibilities to 2034. A final decision is expected at a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday.
The government says no decisions have been taken yet, and that it remains committed to ending sales of new pure petrol and diesel cars in 2030 and to 100% zero-emission new car and van sales by 2035. Carmakers have long argued the targets are running ahead of demand, while the charging industry body ChargeUK warns a cut could put £1.7bn of planned charging investment at risk.
Fuel: diesel still close to £2 a litre
Diesel topped £2 a litre for the first time ever in early October, according to the RAC, as conflict in the Middle East disrupted supplies. AA figures show prices eased only slightly by the end of the month: petrol averaged 172p a litre and diesel 198.5p, against 135.4p and 143.1p a year ago. Filling a 55-litre diesel tank now costs around £109. The AA also warns that cold, dark winter driving typically knocks about three miles per gallon off fuel economy.
Used EVs: values steady, but year-end discounts are a risk
Used electric car prices have risen 2% since the summer, according to Indicata, and they're now the quickest-selling type of used car – just 38 days' supply in October, against 56 days for diesel. But at the end of September the new car market was around 265,000 electric registrations short of this year's 33% target. If manufacturers discount new EVs heavily before Christmas to close the gap, used values could take the hit. As Indicata's Dean Merritt put it: "We don't want to get to a stage where residual values foot the bill for the industry chasing the ZEV mandate targets."
Electric trucks: hauliers sign up after real-world trials
Three UK hauliers are bringing 13 new electric trucks into service after taking part in Project JOLT, a research programme run by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight with 15 fleet operators and five truck makers. DP World is adding ten, Howard Tenens two and Port Express one. The trials suggest operators could save around 21p per kilometre in fuel by switching from diesel.
And finally: 312mph – in an electric car
BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached 503.17km/h (about 312mph) on a closed road in Abu Dhabi on 1 November, becoming the first production car to pass 500km/h in a one-way run. Its four electric motors produce more than 3,000hp. It won't be appearing on many fleet lists.
MPH view
Wednesday's decision matters for anyone ordering in the next year or two. A lower 2030 target would give manufacturers more room to sell hybrids, but pure petrol and diesel cars still look set to go in 2030 either way. In the short term, year-end electric deals remain strong, and with diesel close to £2 a litre the running-cost case for electric is as good as it's been. The thing to watch is used values, because they feed directly into lease rates. If your cars or vans are due for renewal in 2027, now is a good time to start the conversation.
Sources: Transport + Energy (reporting The Guardian), electrive – ZEV Mandate, RAC, Bodyshop Magazine (AA data), EV Fleet World (Indicata), electrive – Project JOLT, electrive – BYD record