The rules that decide when you can still buy a new petrol car are back under review. On 14 August 2026 the government opened a consultation on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, asking the industry and the public how Britain should get to the end of new petrol and diesel sales.
Quick answer: The ZEV mandate requires 33% of new cars sold in 2026 to be pure electric, rising each year toward 100% of new cars and vans by 2035, with new petrol and diesel car sales ending in 2030. A consultation on that pathway opened on 14 August 2026 and closes on 23 October 2026. The headline dates remain policy — the review is about the route, not the destination. If you are buying now, nothing changes today.
What the ZEV mandate actually requires
The mandate is a legal obligation on manufacturers, not on drivers. Each carmaker must ensure a rising share of the new vehicles it sells in the UK are zero emission, or face penalties and the need to buy credits from cleaner rivals.
| Milestone | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 33% of new car sales pure electric |
| 2030 | End of new petrol and diesel car sales |
| 2035 | 100% of new cars and vans zero emission |
The distinction matters and it is widely misunderstood: the mandate constrains what showrooms can sell, not what you can drive. Nothing in it stops you owning, buying used, fuelling or insuring a petrol car.
Where the market has actually got to
The targets are no longer theoretical. Recent figures show:
- More than 2 million EVs are now registered on UK roads.
- More than one in four new cars sold in July 2026 was electric.
- EV sales were up 45% year on year.
- Manufacturers are reported to be on track against their 2026 obligations.
That last point is the crux of the review. When the mandate was tightened, the fear was that carmakers would miss targets and face heavy penalties. Compliance so far has been better than expected — which cuts both ways in the consultation, as evidence either that the pathway works or that it could be firmed up.
What the review could change
The consultation asks manufacturers, suppliers, charge point operators, dealers, consumers and communities for views on the pathway to 2030 and 2035. Realistically the areas in play are:
- Flexibilities and credits — how much manufacturers can borrow against future years or trade with each other.
- Hybrid treatment — what counts between 2030 and 2035, and how plug-in hybrids are handled.
- Van timelines, which have historically lagged cars.
- Charging infrastructure obligations to match vehicle supply.
What is not being consulted on is scrapping the destination. The 2030 and 2035 dates remain the stated policy framework.
What it means if you're buying a car now
For most drivers, the honest answer is: very little changes this year. But three things are worth factoring in.
1. Petrol cars are not becoming worthless
You can buy a new petrol car today and drive it for its full life. There is no announced date for removing petrol cars from the roads — only for stopping the sale of new ones. Running costs, not legality, are the thing to watch.
2. Running costs are diverging
The gap between fuelling and charging is now the real decision. As of 28 August 2026 UK petrol averaged 160.9p a litre and diesel 180.5p (live figures). Home charging on an off-peak EV tariff remains substantially cheaper per mile; public rapid charging often is not. Our electric vs petrol cost per mile guide runs the sums both ways, and the journey cost calculator will price a specific route.
3. The tax picture is moving under both
Whichever you choose, the tax base is shifting:
- Fuel duty rises from 1 September 2026 — the first increase since 2011.
- A pay-per-mile tax on EVs (eVED) is planned from April 2028 at 3p a mile.
- EVs have paid road tax (VED) since April 2025.
The direction of travel is that both fuels get taxed more, for the same reason: as petrol and diesel volumes fall, so does the duty the Treasury collects.
Should you wait for the outcome?
Probably not, unless you were already undecided. The consultation closes on 23 October 2026 and any resulting changes would take time to legislate and longer to reach forecourts and showrooms. Buying decisions made now on running costs, not on policy speculation, will age better.
If you are weighing it up, the is it worth buying an electric car guide covers the current sums, and the government’s £3,750 Electric Car Grant may change the arithmetic on a new EV.
The bottom line
The ZEV mandate review is a consultation on how Britain reaches the end of new petrol and diesel sales, not whether it does. The 2030 and 2035 dates stand, 2026's 33% target is being met, and there are now over two million EVs on UK roads.
For drivers, the practical takeaway is unchanged: your running costs are decided at the pump and the charger, not in the consultation. Compare what you're actually paying on the live map.
Consultation dates and market figures reflect government and industry reporting as of 28 August 2026. Live pump averages from the UK Government Fuel Finder scheme via Fuel Near You.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ZEV mandate?
The Zero Emission Vehicle mandate is a legal requirement on UK car manufacturers to sell a rising percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year. In 2026 the requirement is that 33% of a manufacturer's new car sales are pure electric, rising annually toward 100% of new cars and vans being zero emission by 2035.
Is the 2030 petrol and diesel ban still happening?
As things stand, yes. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due to end in 2030, with all new cars and vans required to be zero emission by 2035. The government opened a consultation on the pathway on 14 August 2026, which closes on 23 October 2026, so the detail may change — but the headline dates remain government policy.
When does the ZEV mandate consultation close?
Responses to the ZEV mandate consultation must be submitted by 23 October 2026. It is open to manufacturers, suppliers, charge point operators, dealers, consumers and communities, and asks for views on the pathway to ending new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.
Can I still buy a petrol car after 2030?
Yes. The 2030 date applies to the sale of brand-new petrol and diesel cars, not to existing ones. You will still be able to buy, sell, own, insure, fuel and drive a used petrol or diesel car after 2030, and there is no announced date for banning them from the roads.
How many electric cars are on UK roads in 2026?
More than two million electric vehicles are now registered on UK roads. More than one in four new cars sold in July 2026 was electric, with EV sales up 45% year on year, and manufacturers are reported to be on track against their 2026 targets.
Does the ZEV mandate affect petrol prices?
Not directly — the mandate governs what manufacturers sell, not what fuel costs. Indirectly, as more drivers switch to electric, fuel duty revenue falls, which is part of the reason duty is rising from September 2026 and why a pay-per-mile EV tax is planned from 2028.