Union warns thousands of auto jobs depend on ZEV mandate reforms

Thousands of automotive jobs in the UK are at risk unless urgent reforms are made to the government’s Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Mandate, according to Unite the Union (Unite).

Unite, one of the UK’s leading trade union, issued the warning as it submitted its strategy to the Department for Transport’s consultation on the ZEV Mandate.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham emphasised that the mandate’s current focus on increasing electric vehicle (EV) sales alone is insufficient to drive the electrification of Britain’s road transport network.

“The ZEV Mandate’s current focus on vehicle sales alone will not bring about the changes needed to electrify Britain’s road transport network. It is a blunt tool that risks jobs rather than encouraging people to purchase EVs,” Graham stated.

She added, “The reforms laid out in Unite’s strategy are sensible and achievable. They will further the government’s Net Zero plans by incentivising EV sales as well as spurring UK vehicle production and providing protections for thousands of automotive workers.”

Unite’s proposed changes to the ZEV Mandate include providing additional credits for UK-made vehicles; ‘bundling’ to allow EV and low emission commercial vehicles to count towards passenger vehicle thresholds and allowing exported EVs to count towards credits for meeting thresholds.

Furthermore, Unite is urging that the UK’s planned ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles remain aligned with the European Union’s 2035 deadline unless a proven strategy to protect jobs is implemented—something the current ZEV Mandate fails to ensure.

Beyond the ZEV Mandate, Unite has called for broader measures to support the UK automotive industry and expand the EV market. These include VAT reductions for UK-made EVs for private buyers, investment in charging infrastructure, and action to curb energy profiteering to make charging more affordable.

Unite national officer for the automotive sector, Des Quinn, stressed the importance of government intervention at this critical time. “The UK’s automotive industry is at a crucial juncture. Thousands of jobs depend on the government’s automotive vision and the support it will put in place to make sure the current low volume crisis does not permanently shrink the industry,” he said.

He also urged the Labour government to deliver a robust industrial strategy to navigate the seismic shifts facing the sector and ensure a just transition for auto workers.

The government’s ZEV consultation, which ends this week, could lead to adjustments in the mandate. While the automotive industry has welcomed the review, concerns remain over its impact on jobs and production levels.

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), underscored the industry’s challenges, including global profit warnings, production cuts, and job losses. “The pace of transition must not devastate jobs or manufacturing,” Hawes cautioned.

He added, “The automotive industry welcomes the government’s review of both the end-of-sale date for petrol and diesel cars and possible changes to the flexibilities around the ZEV Mandate. These are critical issues for an industry that is facing significant challenges globally as it tries to decarbonise ahead of natural market demand. It has cost manufacturers in excess of £4 billion in discounting in the UK in 2024 alone. This is unsustainable, and with the 2025 market looking under even greater pressure, it is imperative we get an urgent resolution.”

As the consultation nears its conclusion, industry leaders and unions alike are calling for regulatory adjustments and financial incentives to ensure a sustainable transition to electric vehicles—one that secures both environmental goals and UK automotive jobs.