The UK government is thinking about easing its targets for electric car sales by 2030, after pressure from car manufacturers and unions representing factory workers.

Right now, the law says carmakers must sell a growing percentage of zero emission vehicles each year: 22% in 2024, 25% in 2025, and 50% in 2026. The government's plan is to reach 80% electric cars and 70% electric vans by 2030, with all new cars fully electric or hybrid by then. By 2035, the target is 100% electric or hybrid for all new vehicles.

Two groups are now pushing the government to slow down. Car companies say the jump to 50% by 2026 is too fast — consumers aren't buying enough electric cars yet, and there aren't enough charging stations. The more surprising part is that Unite the union, which represents tens of thousands of car factory workers, also backs a slowdown. They're suggesting targets of 38% for cars and 34% for vans instead. This matters because usually the government argues that weakening targets would hurt workers — but now workers themselves say a slower pace is fairer.

Here's why the government's decision carries weight beyond just cars. Car companies have to hit their sales targets each year or face penalties. If the government changes the 2030 goal, it shifts every annual target along the way. That affects what models manufacturers build, how much money they invest in factories, and what cars dealers stock. The whole supply chain adjusts.

The 2030 targets weren't made up randomly. Government advisors looked at what was technically possible and negotiated these numbers with industry input. If the targets change under pressure now, it sends a weaker message to companies about whether it's worth investing in electric car factories and charging networks. That signal matters most right now, when manufacturers need to commit billions.

One thing worth noting: the government hasn't suggested moving the 2035 deadline, when all cars must be electric or hybrid. That means the government may be thinking about compressing the final push into fewer years rather than extending the timeline. It's arithmetically tougher, but it does give car companies more time to use up their existing factories for petrol and diesel vehicles — spreading out the cost.

What happens next is under close watch. If the government cuts targets too much, people may lose confidence that electric cars are really the future. If the government barely budges the numbers, manufacturers might face costs they pass on to car buyers, making electric vehicles too expensive. The union's suggestion of 38% and 34% targets offers a middle ground that ministers can defend. Whether they take it depends on political judgement and negotiations happening behind the scenes.