Zest warns weakening UK ZEV mandate could stall charging infrastructure investment
By Eve
EV infrastructure provider Zest has cautioned that diluting the UK's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate risks undermining private investment in charging networks ahead of the 23 October consultation deadline. CEO Robin Heap said weakening the demand signal could create a situation where drivers will not switch without convenient charging, but infrastructure firms will not invest at scale without confidence in future demand. Zest notes that charging projects require years of planning and most contracts run for at least 15 years after commissioning, making long term policy certainty essential for investor commitment.
Why it matters: The warning highlights how policy uncertainty around the ZEV mandate directly affects the business case for long term charging infrastructure projects, potentially delaying site development and grid connection investments. For CPOs and procurement teams, weakened targets could reduce the pipeline of funded projects and slow network expansion needed to meet anticipated EV adoption.