Electric cars save UK drivers billions annually. Why would the government weaken EV targets?

Electric vehicle drivers in the UK save more than 1,100 pounds per year on fuel compared to petrol car owners, according to Carbon Brief analysis cited by East Anglia Bylines. The UK's fleet of over 2 million battery EVs, 1 million plug-in hybrids, and 100,000 electric vans saves drivers around 3 billion pounds annually while avoiding nearly 7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Despite these savings and evidence that EVs are now cheaper to buy than petrol cars, the UK government is reportedly considering weakening the zero-emission vehicle mandate. The current target requires 80% of new car sales to be battery electric by 2030. Reports suggest ministers may consult on lowering this to between 50% and 70%, following lobbying from carmakers and trade unions. The article questions why the government would weaken targets that are delivering clear financial and environmental benefits. It notes that manufacturers have actually over-complied with the existing mandate, contradicting industry claims about insufficient demand.