# Shifting EV targets for sixth time would be ‘totally crazy’, ministers told

By Nick Connor — 2026-06-22

Nick Connor, chief executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), said:
“Whatever the final figure for the ZEV mandate turns out to be, the direction of travel hasn’t changed – the UK is moving to electric vehicles, and the automotive workforce needs to be ready for that future regardless of where the target line is drawn.

“It’s important that a relaxed target isn’t seen by the wider sector as a signal to slow down on training and skills investment. Every electric vehicle already on UK roads, regardless of what happens to the 2030 target, will need a technician qualified to work on it safely throughout its life. Yet our latest IMI EV TechSafe data shows that only around a third of UK technicians currently hold an EV qualification.

“The government needs to ensure that while adjusting the targets it puts a focus on skills training. And it needs to provide certainty. The automotive sector has endured too much switching of targets and deadlines in the last decade. It needs a clear picture about the pace of transition so that training providers, employers and individuals can plan investment in skills with confidence. That’s the balancing act that matters most: realistic targets for vehicle sales, matched by an unwavering commitment to making sure the workforce is ready to support them.”

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