Nissan calls for urgent action on UK Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate

The mandate was put in place to encourage the shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to EVs, assuming that the increasing consumer demand for EVs would continue. However, despite manufacturer discounts, EV sales are projected to only reach 18.5% of the market, falling short of the 2024 ZEV Mandate target of 22%.

Missing this target will result in significant fines for manufacturers unless credits are purchased from EV-only brands, which are not produced in the UK. This means that the UK automotive industry would essentially be funding EV sectors in other countries at the expense of investments in Britain.

Nissan remains committed to an all-electric future and is investing billions in new models and technologies for its UK operations. To protect these investments, the UK Government must address the ZEV Mandate by providing increased flexibility in borrowing credits and implementing a monitoring period instead of imposing fines on the industry.

Guillaume Cartier, Chairperson for Nissan AMIEO, emphasized the importance of urgent action from the Government to prevent irreversible damage to the UK automotive sector. Nissan employs over 7,000 people in the UK and is a significant contributor to the country's economy.

Nissan is actively working towards a sustainable, fully-electric future through investments in EV and battery production, as well as other technologies. While further discussions on consumer incentives and charging infrastructure are needed, immediate changes to the ZEV Mandate proposed by Nissan would not incur costs to taxpayers and would safeguard investments in future vehicles and technologies.

Cartier stressed the importance of collaboration between the Government and industry to support the transition to zero emissions and carbon neutrality while protecting UK car manufacturing.