The government is consulting on potentially reducing the UK’s target for electric vehicles to make up 80% of new car sales by 2030, following pressure from manufacturers. The move matters because it could slow the shift away from petrol and diesel cars, while ministers say greater flexibility is needed to protect jobs and ensure the transition is workable for industry.

Options include cutting the 2030 EV target to 50%, with the remainder of sales made up by hybrids, or retaining the 80% target while allowing more flexibility until 2034. The ban on new purely petrol and diesel cars from 2030 would remain, while new hybrid sales would still be phased out by 2035; environmental groups say weaker targets could increase emissions and weaken investment certainty.