The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has urged the Government to keep the existing 80% ZEV mandate car target for 2030 – but drastically reduce the van goal.

In its submission to the Department for Transport’s consultation on the UK’s EV sales quotas, the industry body warned against weakening the target for electric cars while calling for urgent relief for electric vans.

The AFP said fleets account for a large proportion of electric car sales and would therefore be hit hard by the effects of a downward revision, which could lead to lower manufacturer and charge point investment, higher prices and weaker supply.

For electric vans, though, the business group recommends a new goal of 40%, reduced from the current 70%, together with increased availability of depot charging and better grid support.

Dale Eynon, AFP government affairs and policy lead, said: “Many of our members have long-term electrification plans, and potential increases in the price of electric cars alongside lower availability will stall this transition. The current target should be retained, in our view.

“However, we support a deeper, time-limited adjustment to reflect slower market readiness for electric vans, particularly in specialist and high-payload segments. The eLCV market has not developed as rapidly as its electric car equivalent because ranges are too short, the total cost of operation is often higher, and public charging availability is patchy and often not suited to van charging.

“Any adjustment should be accompanied by targeted support for depot charging and grid reinforcement.”

Earlier this week, the Government opened the second £38m funding window of the Depot Charging Scheme, offering fleet operators 60% funding towards charge point and civil installation costs up to £1m per organisation.

The AFP also warned that the charging network is not fit for purpose for electric van operators due to issues including bay size, availability of spaces, charging capacity and high charging costs.

For plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the AFP supports updating CO2 values to reflect real-world emissions, but says the impact on benefit-in-kind (BIK) taxation must be considered.

The organisation also supports adoption of the UNECE NOVC HEV Category 2 definition, covering vehicles with batteries over 60 volts, for hybrids allowed on sale after 2030.

Eynon said: “This provides clarity and ensures only meaningful hybrid technologies remain available. Mild hybrids should not be permitted due to their limited environmental benefit.”

Finally, the industry body argues for additional incentives to stimulate ZEV demand, highlighting depot charging, grid reinforcement and commercial vehicle electrification.

Eynon said: “These are all necessary to accelerate fleet electrification. In particular, we believe the Government needs to introduce a Charge Point Regulator or Ombudsman to take a more holistic view of this important area and ensure proper standards are in place, with transparent and fair complaint routes, and a more reliable and integrated network.”

The ZEV mandate consultation closed on Friday 23 October. Although there has been speculation, no date for the Government’s response has yet been announced. While car and van makers have lobbied for softer targets and greater compliance flexibility, the charging industry has warned that watering down the 2030 goal risks undermining billions of pounds in infrastructure investment.

Meanwhile, a coalition of 30 health, climate and transport groups has urged ministers to hold firm, warning that diluting the mandate would damage air quality, public health and UK carbon-reduction targets.