Morning, Monday, 27th April 2026
Online
This conference will focus on next steps for the transition to zero emission vehicles in the UK.
The agenda will examine progress so far and key issues for the transition moving forward, as the Government continues to roll out the reinstated 2030 ZEV mandate, with exclusively petrol and diesel-powered cars to be banned from sale from 2030, and all new cars and vans set to be zero emissions by 2035.
Taking place as the Transport Committee conducts an inquiry into how effectively the transition is progressing, it will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to examine next steps for improving uptake and support for delivery, with discussion on policy and regulatory approaches moving forward, as well as priorities for consumers, manufacturers, and wider stakeholders.
The agenda will also bring out latest thinking on the direction of current government interventions, including the £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme for ZEV manufacturing investment and innovation - with some stakeholders calling for clarity on eligibility, timelines and regional cluster support.
Progress in delivering the ZEV 2030 mandate & learning from international markets
Attendees will consider progress in delivering the ZEV mandate, with concerns from industry about its stringency - including implications for production and demand - and calls from some for revisions to help reduce delays and improve consumer choice following the softening of targets within the EU to 90% of cars having to be zero emission by 2035 rather than 100%.
Discussion will consider international market development, including the impact of changes in EU, looking at regulatory shifts, and implications for UK policy.
Policy options to support consumer confidence & competition
Key areas where clarity and policy stability is needed to support globally competitive UK manufacturing will be assessed, discussing measures for supply chain scale-up, frameworks for attracting and sustaining private investment, and the role of regional clusters and the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.
Attendees will consider practical options for strengthening consumer demand, including the likely impact of amendments to Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes from January 2026, which aim to enable manufacturers to plan for compliance with greater regulatory flexibility, allowing borrowing of credits and reallocating unused credits within certain parts of the scheme.
The way forward for the Electric Car Grant and wider fiscal measures set out in the 2025 Autumn Budget will also be discussed, taking into account responses to the ongoing consultation on the introduction of a mileage-based Electric Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2028.
Further discussion will focus on strategic approaches to building confidence in the transition, including charging affordability and reliability, and transparency and consistency in information provided to consumers on purchase prices and total cost of ownership. Approaches to addressing ongoing barriers to adoption will be assessed, such as access to reliable local charging ports, perceived complexity of tariffs and incentives, and uncertainty around residual values and long-term running costs.
Fleet electrification & charging infrastructure
The agenda will also examine next steps for electrification of heavy goods vehicles and fleets, with the Department for Transport consulting on a New HGV CO₂ emissions regulatory framework for the UK and concerns from some over the delay in delivery of fleet charging infrastructure. Delegates will also consider implications on the rollout of infrastructure of the recent government announcement of an increase in grants aiming to assist with the cost for installation of EV chargers for households and businesses.
Sessions will consider implementation priorities for a resilient, flexible and cost-effective charging network, including implications for EV charging infrastructure and for the wider energy market and network regulation - with the rate of charging point expansion having declined in 2025 according to Zapmap data, alongside signs of prevalent geographic disparities, with infrastructure focused on populous urban areas.
There will be discussion on concerns surrounding charging infrastructure in specific locations, including motorway service stations, considering grid connection for freight, capacity costs, capital expenditure and commercial viability, alongside rural communities and the private rental sector.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy: delivery of the ZEV Mandate - implications of the 2030 phase-out - alignment with wider industrial and transport policy objectives
- transition: scaling UK ZEV manufacturing capacity - supply chain resilience and localisation - frameworks for attracting and sustaining private investment
- innovation: priorities for DRIVE35 funding - role of the Advanced Propulsion Centre and innovation hubs - supporting start-ups, new technologies and use cases
- demand: interaction of the Electric Car Grant and fiscal measures - implications of EV Excise Duty reform - confidence, affordability and second-hand market development
- consumer information: transparency on purchase and running costs - clarity on charging tariffs and total cost of ownership - addressing information gaps affecting adoption decisions
- charging infrastructure: permitted development rights and planning reform - grid capacity, smart charging and cost pressures - the role of smart charging in reducing peak demand and grid reinforcement costs
- freight: charging at motorway service stations - strategic road network coverage - depot electrification challenges
- HGVs and fleets: next steps following the HGV emissions regulatory consultation - assessing viability of zero emission HGV business models - fleet transition incentives
- regional growth and skills: development of regional ZEV clusters - workforce training and reskilling needs - alignment of skills policy with industrial transition
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include officials from the Department for Transport; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ministry of Defence; National Audit Office; Health and Safety Executive; Environment Agency; Transport Scotland; Isle of Man Government; Government Legal Department; National Wealth Fund; and the Welsh Government.
