• The REA warmly welcomes the Government’s Electric Vehicle announcements as part of “Powering up Britain”;
• Positive measures include reaffirmed commitment to the ZEV Mandate, and ambition to ensure reliable public chargepoints;
• The REA will continue to work with government to make the energy transition a reality.

The REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology) warmly welcomes measures announced today which highlight that Government are committing to several programmes long awaited by the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry.

This includes the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, in which the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the much-needed ZEV sales targets of 22% in 2024, 80% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. The REA has been engaging with Government since the publication of their previous ZEV mandate consultation to ensure it is ambitious, and we are delighted to see its ambition remains through the strong sales targets for both cars and vans set out today.

Government have also today provided a response to the 2022 SSES consultation on interoperability and cyber security of energy smart appliances and remote load control. The REA largely welcomes the ambition to ensure energy security through stronger cyber security. However, extending the currently extensive cyber security expectations to smaller companies below the current 300mw threshold could present problems and the REA welcomes future opportunity to respond to a consultation on this.

Furthermore, the REA is supportive of the Government’s ambition to ensure reliability and accessibility of public chargepoints through the EV Consumer Experience Regulations Government Response. We do note concerns, however, about how functional OCPI will be for industry. The REA has repeatedly warned OZEV of this and would welcome further opportunities to engage on possible alternatives that will likely lead to more positive outcomes for both consumers and industry alike.

Lastly, the REA are delighted to see the full launch of the LEVI fund will go ahead after the initial success of the pilot projects. Local EV infrastructure is crucial in encouraging the move to EV’s and we are pleased to see the Government recognises the challenge and need for funding here.

Matt Adams, Transport Policy Manager at the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology) said:

“It is pleasing to see the Government reaffirm its commitment to the much-needed ZEV sales targets for ZEV cars in the UK as well as the extra ambition laid out today for zero emissions vans as the next logical step in the UK’s journey to decarbonising road transport. The REA has repeatedly engaged with Government since the publication of their previous ZEV Mandate consultation to ensure it is ambitious, and we are delighted to see its ambition remains through the strong sales targets for cars and vans set out today.

“Although concerns remain that the borrowing mechanisms detailed in the ZEV Mandate consultation could see a short fall on the Government’s targets in the next three years, we are keen to understand more and are pleased with the ambition and strong sales targets that enable new cars and vans to be fully zero emissions by 2035.”

“Government has overall reaffirmed its commitment to Electric Vehicles and EV charging, which is welcome, and the REA is now continuing to urge the Government to implement further supportive policies, to make the energy transition a reality.”

—ENDS—