Zero emission vehicle mandate review

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.