{
  "id": 876971,
  "title": "Electric vehicle sales targets could be cut after pressure from car makers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/electric-vehicle-sales-targets-could-be-cut-after-pressure-from-car-876971",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-14T14:08:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Science",
    "slug": "bbc-science",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l1yj0zd9no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK government is considering reducing its electric vehicle (EV) sales target from 80% by 2030 to as low as 50%, following pressure from car manufacturers. The review is being launched in response to concerns that the current goal is too ambitious and could negatively impact jobs and costs. Environmental groups have warned that lowering the target would undermine the UK's long-term climate goals. Currently, the ZEV mandate requires 33% of new car sales to be EVs in 2026, increasing to 80% by 2030. However, an outright ban on selling petrol or diesel cars after 2030 will remain in place. If the government decides to lower the target to 50%, the remaining 50% would need to be made up of hybrid vehicles. Alternatively, the target could be kept at 80%, but with flexibility for car makers to extend the deadline until 2034. Another option is to maintain the 80% target but allow for a longer phase-out period for new hybrid sales, which would still need to end by 2035. The policy on EV sales has changed over the years, with an initial ban on petrol and diesel vehicles set for 2030, later pushed back to 2035. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the government aims to ensure the targets are practical and support British industry. However, the move has been criticized by electric car advocates and climate groups, who argue that it sends the wrong signal given the current heatwave and the growing popularity of EVs as affordable options.",
  "summary": "The government says it is considering cutting the new electric car sales target from 80% to 50% by 2030.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Business",
        "title": "Electric vehicle sales targets could be cut after pressure from car makers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/electric-vehicle-sales-targets-could-be-cut-after-pressure-from-car",
        "published": "2026-08-14T14:08:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}