DfT Eases EV Van Rules to Drive UK Net-Zero Transition

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today we report on new measures from the Department for Transport aimed at tightening regulations for electric vans following its recent consultation.

Net Zero News can reveal that on 25 November 2025 the Department for Transport published its formal response to a consultation on light commercial vehicle emissions. The document sets out fresh proposals that will impose a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate on van manufacturers, building on the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035.

In overview, the department’s proposals require manufacturers to achieve a minimum share of new electric and hydrogen vans in their fleets from 2027 onwards. Under the planned regime, 50% of all new vans registered by each manufacturer must be zero-emission from 2027, rising to 75% by 2030 and to 100% by 2035. A credit-trading system will allow firms that exceed targets to sell surplus credits to peers, while transitional flexibilities will support smaller operators during the initial years.

These measures follow more than six months of stakeholder engagement, with responses from van makers, fleet operators, trade associations and environmental groups. In its published response, the DfT confirms it will allow limited credits for plug-in hybrid vans up to 2030, reflecting industry concerns over charging infrastructure and vehicle access in rural areas. A review in 2028 will assess the mandate’s impact and consider any adjustments ahead of the 2030 uplift in targets.

Why it matters: vans account for around 10% of the UK’s road transport emissions and their numbers have risen faster than cars over the last decade. Net Zero News understands this forms part of the government’s strategy to cut transport emissions by 80% by 2035 compared with 1990 levels. By introducing a clear sales trajectory for zero-emission vans, the DfT aims to stimulate investment in charging networks, boost economies of scale for manufacturers and accelerate uptake among business fleets.

The step-change in regulation is expected to deliver significant carbon savings. Analysis commissioned by the department indicates that meeting the 2030 target could reduce van tailpipe emissions by more than 2 million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to taking the entire van fleet on UK roads back to 2005 levels of emissions. Industry bodies also forecast that the move will support thousands of jobs in vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure installation.

The initiative is being developed by the Department for Transport in partnership with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and the Department for Business and Trade. Commercial vehicle manufacturers including UK-based van producers and multinational brands have been actively involved in the consultation process. The department confirms that final regulations will be laid before Parliament in summer 2026, with the mandate coming into force in January 2027.

These proposals sit alongside the UK’s broader climate policy framework. They build on CO2 standards for cars introduced in 2021 and mirror the zero-emission vehicle mandate for passenger cars, which requires 100% of new car sales to be zero-emission by 2035. They also reflect commitments in the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which set out a path to net-zero emissions across all transport modes by 2050. Devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continue to develop complementary strategies to support local charging infrastructure and fleet electrification.

The impacts of the van ZEV mandate will be felt across the logistics and delivery sectors, as well as among small businesses that rely on light commercial vehicles. While large fleets are investing heavily in electric options, some smaller operators face challenges in accessing affordable vehicles and charging facilities. The DfT response acknowledges these concerns and signals additional support measures to be announced in the coming months, including grants for on-street and depot charging.

Next steps involve parliamentary scrutiny of the enabling regulations in autumn 2026, ahead of a formal review of the mandate’s first year of operation in 2028. The department will publish statutory guidance for manufacturers and fleet operators in early 2027, setting out compliance mechanisms and credit-trading procedures.

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