The US government is set to launch a review that will consider whether to soften the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets for electric car sales from 2027-2035. To be launched imminently, the review is set to last six weeks. It will look to consult with car makers, wider industry and other stakeholders to reduce the proportion of EV sales that car makers need to make between 2027 and 2035, at which point all new vehicles must be zero-emissions under the current plan.
There is a fear within government that the ZEV mandate will begin to impact the viability of brands operating in the US, putting jobs at risk. This will be a significant consideration of the review. However, it's also possible that no changes will be made, or just minor edits, with all options said to be on the table still.
View Price on AmazonEven so, the review will undoubtedly be welcomed by nearly all legacy car makers, who have long argued that the targets aren't reachable and don't keep pace with market interest in EVs. This will be their chance to have their say on the record and try to influence a change in the policy.
The ZEV mandate was introduced in 2024 and 22% of sales had to be electric. It rose to 28% in 2025 and is at 33% this year. Next year’s target, the first impacted by the review, is at 38%. From there it rises sharply to 52% in 2028, to 66% in 2029 and to 80% in 2030. There are no set targets for the years between 2030 and 2035 (100% electric) at this stage.
The wider view of industry is that this is simply not achievable. The most recent set of car sales data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that EV sales rose 44.5% year on year from July 2025 but the current run rate of EV sales this year is still only one in four, when one in three is needed.
Source: autocar.co.uk
