The Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate consultation closes today, with lower electric car sales targets among the options and Autotrader calling for more flexibility.
The consultation ends at 11.59pm on October 23. The Government is committed to completing the review by early 2027, although a specific announcement date has not been confirmed.
Options include reducing the 2030 zero-emission car sales target from 80% to 70%, 60% or 50%, with revised annual targets from 2027.
Toyota has asked for a target of 50%, while the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) is hoping for a target of 50% too.
Another option would retain the existing targets but extend compliance flexibilities, including credit banking, borrowing and CO₂ conversion, to 2034. Keeping the current arrangements is also under consideration.
The Government has stressed that any changes would not alter its commitments to phase out new purely petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and require all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2035.
Government acknowledges sales challenge
Department for Transport (DfT) modelling suggests electric car sales may need to grow by an average of 31% annually between 2025 and 2030 to meet the current requirements, compared with average annual growth of 21% between 2022 and 2025.
The calculation assumes no use of compliance flexibilities in 2030.
The consultation warns that the gap between zero-emission vehicle sales and mandate targets risks becoming increasingly difficult to close, even with existing flexibilities.
Autotrader supports retaining the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates to provide certainty for investment, but wants greater flexibility in the annual targets leading up to those deadlines.
The technology platform said demand remains sensitive to fuel prices and geopolitical developments, making steep increases in annual targets difficult to achieve.
Bex Kennett, head of new car at Autotrader (pictured), said: “Long-term clarity through the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates remain vital for industry investment, but the significant increases required in the intervening years will become increasingly challenging against the current economic and geopolitical backdrop.
“Pragmatic flexibility in the near-term ZEV Mandate trajectory would help manufacturers remain on course, while continuing to deliver meaningful reductions in carbon emissions from road transport.”
Kennett will be speaking at a special new car market focussed panel at Automotive Management Live on November 11, alongside Nahide Crisp, Hills Motor Group sales and marketing director, Denis Golden, MG franchise director and Carly Keeler, Ancaster Group marketing & communications director.
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Electric cars exceed a third of enquiries
The call comes as electric cars accounted for 33.8% of all new car enquiries on Autotrader in October to date, exceeding a third for the first time.
BMW attracted the largest share of electric car enquiries at 9.4%, followed by BYD at 6.2%, Hyundai at 5.8% and Kia at 5.6%.
The BMW iX3 led individual electric models with 4.7% of EV enquiries, ahead of the Renault 5 E-Tech at 4.4% and Cupra Raval at 3.8%.
Autotrader said the figures reflected expanding model choice across premium manufacturers, established volume brands and new entrants.
The enquiry figures measure activity on its platform rather than completed sales or registrations.
Across all fuel types, traffic to Autotrader’s new car platform was level year-on-year in October, following September’s 12% increase in UK new car registrations.
The number of new cars advertised was 13% higher than a year earlier, while average advertised discounts remained above 10%.
Discounts eased slightly from September to 10.2% across all fuel types and 10.1% for electric cars.
The Government’s consultation also highlights the cost of stimulating EV demand.
DfT estimates that the additional cost of discounting electric cars averaged around £2,800 per vehicle in 2025, illustrating the financial pressure on manufacturers seeking to meet rising targets.
Autotrader said competition from new entrants was prompting established manufacturers to respond with more competitive pricing and offers.
BMW led overall new car enquiries with a 9.8% share, followed by Land Rover at 7.9% and Volkswagen at 6.7%. Jaecoo accounted for 5.2% and Chery 4%.
The platform maintained its recently upgraded forecast of 2.21 million UK new car registrations in 2026, representing annual growth of 9.5%.
Kennett said consumer engagement following September’s plate change indicated momentum heading into the final months of the year, supported by greater choice and competitive offers.
Most in-demand new electric cars on Autotrader, October 2026
| Rank | Make | Model | Share of electric car enquiries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW | iX3 | 4.7% |
| 2 | Renault | 5 E-Tech | 4.4% |
| 3 | Cupra | Raval | 3.8% |
| 4 | Alpine | A290 | 2.9% |
| 5 | Jaecoo | 5 | 2.7% |
| 6 | Ford | Explorer | 2.6% |
| 7 | BMW | iX1 | 2.3% |
| 8 | BYD | Sealion 7 | 2.2% |
| 9 | Hyundai | IONIQ 3 | 1.9% |
| 10 | Hyundai | INSTER | 1.9% |
Most in-demand new electric car brands on Autotrader, October 2026
| Rank | Make | Share of electric car enquiries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW | 9.4% |
| 2 | BYD | 6.2% |
| 3 | Hyundai | 5.8% |
| 4 | Kia | 5.6% |
| 5 | Renault | 5.1% |
| 6 | Cupra | 4.8% |
| 7 | MG | 4.6% |
| 8 | Leapmotor | 4.3% |
| 9 | Mini | 4.2% |
| 10 | Ford | 4.0% |
Most in-demand new cars on Autotrader, October 2026: all fuel types
| Rank | Make | Model | Share of new car enquiries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vauxhall | Corsa | 3.1% |
| 2 | Land Rover | Range Rover Sport | 2.9% |
| 3 | Volkswagen | Golf | 2.7% |
| 4 | Jaecoo | 7 | 2.5% |
| 5 | Jaecoo | 5 | 2.1% |
| 6 | Chery | Tiggo 8 | 1.9% |
| 7 | Land Rover | Range Rover | 1.9% |
| 8 | Land Rover | Defender 110 | 1.6% |
| 9 | BMW | iX3 | 1.6% |
| 10 | Renault | 5 E-Tech | 1.5% |
Most in-demand new car brands on Autotrader, October 2026: all fuel types
| Rank | Make | Share of new car enquiries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW | 9.8% |
| 2 | Land Rover | 7.9% |
| 3 | Volkswagen | 6.7% |
| 4 | Audi | 6.2% |
| 5 | Jaecoo | 5.2% |
| 6 | Vauxhall | 5.1% |
| 7 | MG | 4.8% |
| 8 | Hyundai | 4.6% |
| 9 | Chery | 4.0% |
| 10 | BYD | 3.8% |
Source: Autotrader, October 2026 to date. Rankings reflect enquiries on Autotrader, rather than completed sales or registrations.
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