Sales of electric cars hit a new high in 2024, according to official figures from SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). However, despite 19.6 per cent of all new cars sold being electric, registration numbers failed to meet the 22 per cent target set by the government in its Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Mandate.
Car makers who fail to meet the goal of 22 per cent of fully electric sales face fines of £15,000 for every vehicle under that target, although there are various workarounds for the first few years of the Mandate that include trading credits with rivals who have exceeded the targets or borrowing from future years.
