DfT publishes final 2024 Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme compliance data - shows ZEV Mandate targets hit
Thu 12 March 2026
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The Department for Transport has published its first compliance report for the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS), the regulatory system that underpins the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The report covers the 2024 scheme year - the first year of full ZEV Mandate enforcement.
The headline targets were 22% zero emission vehicle (ZEV) registrations for cars and 10% for vans. The car market met and exceeded its target, with ZEVs accounting for 19.8% of new car registrations - boosted to compliant levels through the CO2-to-ZEV conversion flexibility, which generated the equivalent of an additional 4.7% ZEV registrations. Manufacturers also borrowed the equivalent of 1.2% of registrations from future years and banked a substantial volume of allowances going forward.
The van market similarly over-complied overall, despite ZEVs representing only 6.8% of actual van sales. Extensive use of the CO2 conversion flexibility added the equivalent of 5.3% further ZEV registrations.
Non-ZEV CO2 emissions also improved across both markets, with average emissions falling around 7% below baseline levels, driven by stronger hybrid and fuel-efficient ICE sales.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said, however, that across 2024 and 2025, the collective cost of hitting the ZEV Mandate targets was more than £10 billion.
Keir Mather, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, speaking at the SMMT Electrified conference said: "These numbers show the transition to electric is on track.
"While the end goal remains clear, we acknowledge the need to listen to you [the motor industry] and to be pragmatic. We've committed to publish a review of the Mandate early next year and we are listening and engaging with stakeholders across the industry. Is it ambitious? Yes, of course it is. And we as a government are committed to giving you the tools you need to make it happen."
He added: "The government is incredibly clear that the EV transition is something that we stand resolutely behind."
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