Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United Kingdom are significantly lagging behind the government’s targets, despite a modest year-on-year increase. February registrations show that EVs account for only 22% of total car sales, falling short of the mandated 33% under the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate.
Current Sales Figures
In February, approximately 22,000 out of 90,000 new car registrations were electric, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. However, this is a decrease from the nearly 29,600 EVs registered in January, highlighting a slowdown in growth. The ZEV Mandate imposes penalties on manufacturers for failing to meet EV sales quotas: £12,000 per vehicle below the threshold, though companies can offset this by purchasing credits from those exceeding their targets.
Shift from Last Year
The current situation contrasts sharply with February 2025, where EV sales jumped over 40% from 2024, achieving a 25% market share. This indicates that the demand for electric cars in the UK has stalled. Tesla, a major EV producer, experienced a 37% decline in registrations during February, though the company claims underlying order volumes remain strong.
Industry Optimism
Despite the data, industry analysts remain cautiously optimistic. Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, notes that one in four motorists are still choosing EVs and that rising fossil fuel prices could drive further adoption.
The slowdown in EV demand raises questions about the effectiveness of current incentives and the broader consumer appetite for electric vehicles. The government’s ZEV Mandate is designed to accelerate the transition to zero-emission cars, but its impact will depend on consumer behavior and manufacturer compliance.
