Labour’s petrol and diesel car ban targets have been slammed as “delusional” by the boss of one of the UK’s biggest dealership brands. The Government has Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate rules in place to slow manufacturers’ production of petrol and diesel vehicles before the end of the decade.

Last year, car brands based in Britain were forced to ensure that at least 28% of new vehicles sold were electric, with the goal increased to 33% for 2026. The goal is set to slowly rise each year, with car firms told to produce 38% zero-emission models in 2027, 52% in 2028, 66% in 2029 and 80% by 2030.

After this date, only hybrid vehicles and certain low-volume manufacturers can produce petrol and diesel cars, with all new combustion models off the roads by 2035.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, blasted the rules, suggesting the Government’s ZEV Mandate targets had “no place in reality”.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Mr Forrester said: “The facts are that the Government targets between 2024 and 2030 are delusional and utopian and have no place in reality.

“The actual demand for electric vehicles is substantially lower. This is aggregate demand, business and consumer is materially lower than the targets.

“Underlying consumer demand is not there in proportion to the targets. Over time, it will be there.”

According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, new electric car registrations increased by just 0.1% in January.

EVs accounted for just 20.6% market share in the first month of 2025, 13% below the Government’s targets for the end of the year.

Manufacturers who do not meet the target risk being slapped with hefty fines of £12,000 per car, forcing many brands to discount electric cars to avoid costly penalties.

Mr Forrester told Express.co.uk: “The problem is the Government thinks they can manage the economy by dictating to the market, and there are big unforeseen consequences of that.

“At the moment, it is the manufacturers who lose money selling electric vehicles, having invested billions of pounds in R&D to make them.”

The European Union has already U-turned on its one emissions targets, reducing its previous goal of 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035 to 90%.

However, the UK does not look set to follow suit, with the Department for Transport previously telling Express.co.uk that officials “remain committed to phasing out all new non-zero emission car and van sales”.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Forrester added: “The Europeans have watered it down, we need realistic market-led targets.

“You have to have a target, which is fine. We need to be far more in line with the actual adoption rate of consumers.”