Motor manufacturers in the UK could be forced into selling a certain number of electric vehicles to consumers to help the government reach their Road To Zero targets.

The news comes as part of what government ministers are calling a ‘zero emission vehicle mandate, which would see a rising share of EV sales every year by each manufacturer. It is a similar scheme which has been in place in California, where car brands have been forced to sell a minimum number of plug-in hybrids for more than 20 years.

The plan is one of a number of proposals which is being considered as part of the Committee on Climate Change, but some are arguing that with electric car sales at a record high, the mandate may be unnecessary. EV sales currently claim 5.4 per cent of the market, with sales of 66,611 so far in 2020, a huge 165.4 per cent increase.

But with rumours that the government could be about to bring forward their ban on new combustion engine sales by five years to to 2030, the ministers may have to take more decisive action.

“Moving the ban on petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans forward to 2030 is an absolute must if the government is to meet its legally binding climate commitments. Any later and it becomes almost impossible,” said Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Rebecca Newsom.

“But a ban alone won't see this change take place without the policies that force it over the line. That's why a zero emissions vehicle mandate for car manufacturers would be an incredibly smart move to bring new jobs to UK.

“In order to dangle the carrot for people buying a new car, the government must use the stick with manufacturers to ensure costs come down and sales go up.”

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