Burnham's mixed signals on Net Zero: Ministers 'finally poised to cut EV targets' as PM heads for climate summit

Published: 03:49 EDT, 9 November 2026 | Updated: 03:53 EDT, 9 November 2026 Andy Burnham is heading for a global climate summit this week - as ministers are poised to cut EV targets.The Government finally looks set to water down rules demanding that 80 per cent of new cars sold in the UK are electric by 2030.Industry groups have warned the restrictions are too tough and they need 'urgent relief'. New vehicles that run solely on petrol or diesel are due to stop being sold from 2030, with hybrids following by 2035.Mr Burnham's de facto deputy Louise Haigh is due to chair a Cabinet committee this week on the issue. The PM has recused himself from the decision because of his wife's previous work with EVs.However, it is unclear whether an announcement will come before Mr Burnham heads to the COP summit in Turkey this week.The premier is trying to strike a balance between seemingly more cautious about Net Zero domestically, and insisting the UK is still leading the push on the world stage. The Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandate was introduced by Rishi Sunak to phase out sales of new vehicles that are not EVs.It sets out the percentage of new car sales that need to be EVs increases each year. The level was 28 per cent for 2025, rose to 33 per cent this year, and will go to 80 per cent by 2030.The EU has already scrapped a similar plan to ban new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035, after pressure from large motor industries such as Germany.Firms had warned UK restrictions could lead them to pull investment, with complaints about having to offer huge incentives to lure people into buying more expensive EVs.