UK Carmakers on Track to Meet 2025 EV Sales Targets
New analysis suggests the UK car industry is on course to meet the government’s electric vehicle (EV) sales requirements for 2025. Although the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets a headline target of 28 per cent of new car sales being zero-emission, built-in flexibilities reduce the effective requirement to 20.4 per cent.
Industry experts caution that any move to weaken the ZEV mandate, similar to recent changes made by the European Commission, could slow the pace of EV adoption and negatively impact the developing second-hand EV market. The debate has intensified following comments from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has said her party would scrap the UK’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales if elected, describing current EV quotas as “economic self-harm”.
Despite political uncertainty, car manufacturers have invested heavily to comply with the mandate, often relying on significant EV discounts to drive sales. However, the industry has warned that this approach is costly and unlikely to be sustainable in the long term.
West Berkshire Council to Deliver Over 600 New EV Charge Points
West Berkshire Council has announced plans to install more than 600 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the district as part of a major expansion of its public charging network. The project will be delivered in partnership with Connected Kerb and will cover urban areas such as Newbury and Thatcham, alongside rural communities including Chieveley and Pangbourne.
The scheme is supported by £382,000 of funding from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, with additional private investment provided by Connected Kerb. The council said the initiative will make it easier for residents, particularly those living in flats or properties without off-street parking, to transition to electric vehicles.
In addition to the initial rollout, the project will include infrastructure provision for a further 300 charge points, allowing the network to expand in line with growing demand in public car parks and on-street locations. Installation work is expected to begin in 2026, with specific sites to be confirmed following the completion of feasibility studies.
Stuart Gourley, West Berkshire Council’s executive member for environment and highways, described the initiative as “a major step forward in delivering our climate and transport strategy”. He added that expanding public EV infrastructure would enable more residents to support the council’s net-zero ambitions while future-proofing the district.
Connected Kerb chief executive Chris Pateman-Jones said the partnership is focused on ensuring all residents feel confident about switching to electric vehicles. The 20-year contract includes a revenue-sharing arrangement, capped charging tariffs to maintain affordability, and robust service level agreements to ensure reliability and performance. At the end of the contract term, ownership of all infrastructure will transfer to the council for long-term public benefit.
Nissan Launches Next-Generation LEAF at Sunderland in Major Boost for UK EV Manufacturing
The UK’s largest car manufacturing plant has been transformed with the launch of Nissan’s next-generation LEAF, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition to electric vehicles. The start of production at Nissan’s Sunderland facility makes the LEAF the first new high-volume electric car to be manufactured in the UK since 2020, supporting around 6,000 jobs and delivering a substantial boost to the UK economy.
Nissan has invested more than £450 million in the project, including over £300 million directly into its UK operations, reinforcing its long-term commitment to British manufacturing. The investment not only safeguards thousands of roles at the Wearside plant but also supports many more jobs across the wider automotive supply chain.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald will visit the Sunderland site today, 16 December, to mark the launch and describe it as a major step forward for both the North East and the UK automotive sector. The government views the project as further evidence of the UK’s position at the forefront of green technology manufacturing and its drive towards a low-carbon economy.
The launch comes alongside the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which is delivering £4 billion of investment into the automotive sector, the largest level of support for the car industry since the post-war era. This funding is aimed at accelerating the electrification of vehicle manufacturing and boosting investment in batteries, electric motors and power electronics, helping to secure the future of the UK’s automotive industry.
