Some commentators are more positive about the ZEV Mandate, however.
Colin Walker of the Energy and Climate intelligence Unit, an environmental research group, welcomed the latest registration figures.
“2025 has been another bumper year for EV sales, with nearly one in four cars sold in 2025 being an EV,” he said.
“This policy in turn will boost the UK’s second-hand market where the majority of us buy our cars, easing cost of living concerns for drivers.”
The government has brought forward a number of measures to support the take-up of electric vehicles over the past year.
They include the £1.3bn Electric Car Grant Scheme, which provides up to £3,750 towards the cost of buying an electric vehicle, as well as significant funding for charging infrastructure
However, in the autumn budget, it also announced plans to introduce a ‘per mile’ tax on electric vehicles – a measure designed to offset some of the reduction in fuel duty revenues caused by the transition to electric vehicles.
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility said the move was likely to result in 440,000 fewer electric cars being sold over a five-year period.
“This is one of the challenges we see,” said Mr Hawes.
“To have a technological shift like this, you need consistent, coherent and compelling messaging and support… Even the announcement of a tax specifically on EVs will send a very conflicting message to consumers.”