Daily Express, on Climate, 10 November 2026

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Andy Burnham

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Andy Burnham issues update on EV car rule change Andy Burnham has opened up about potential ZEV mandate changes, with reports suggesting that the current targets could be updated. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Luke Chillingsworth , Cars Reporter 08:29, Tue, Nov 10, 2026 Updated: 08:29, Tue, Nov 10, 2026 Andy Burnham has weighed in on possible updates to ZEV Mandate rules (Image: Getty) Andy Burnham has broken his silence as rumours continue to suggest the UK’s ZEV Mandate rules on electric car sales could be watered down.

According to the Guardian, ministers could make cuts to EV goals this week , with suggestions that targets may be reduced by up to a quarter. Under the current rules, manufacturers must ensure that at least 80% of new cars sold are fully electric by the end of the decade. However, car manufacturers and the motoring industry have suggested this was an unreasonable target, with many calling for a review of the ZEV Mandate targets. This was conducted by the Department for Transport (DfT) this Autumn, with the responses currently under review before any decisions are made.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Mr Burnham weighed into the discussion this week, stressing that absolutely no decisions had yet been made on what to do about ZEV targets. The Prime Minister said: "Well, the consultation on the mandate for zero-emission vehicles concluded only a fortnight ago, so obviously that is being looked at now. “The range of responses to the consultation... so these reports are just that: they're reports, they're speculation and no decision has been made at this point."

Earlier this month, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes told The Express that absolutely no manufacturers believe the 80% goal by 2030 was achievable. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.

This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Ford and Renault have been among the major carmakers demanding action over fears consumer demand wasn’t matching up to strict targets. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Mr Hawes has since added: “The gap between demand and mandated targets continues to widen. Meaningful change to the trajectory, alongside expanded flexibilities throughout the regulation, is essential to bridge that gap, safeguard jobs and investment while keeping the UK’s zero emission transition on track.”

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Vauxhall tells 82,000 owners to ‘stop driving’ over safety recall issue Andy Burnham’s new £390 car tax rule change - starts in April 2027 Could ZEV Mandate EV targets be about to change? (Image: Getty) However, the Government has stressed that there will not be any updates to the baseline target of stopping the sale of brand new petrol and diesel models by 2030. It suggests any updates to ZEV Mandate targets would be a relaxation around the number of plug-in hybrid cars that could leave forecourts.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson explained: “The Government is fully behind the zero emission vehicle mandate, and no decisions have been taken yet. “We’re sticking to our commitments: on phasing out new cars that run only on petrol or diesel by 2030, (that) every new car and van will be zero emissions by 2035 and our legally binding net zero targets. None of that is changing. “The consultation is about getting the details right, so the switch works for drivers, for carmakers and for the hundreds of workers whose jobs depend on it.”

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Read the original article on express.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
What we found (1)

The Express reports that Andy Burnham and his spokesperson say no decision has been made on the ZEV mandate, amid reports it could be watered down. It quotes the industry case against the targets alongside the government's commitments. Its headline speaks of an "update on EV car rule change" when the body says no change has been decided, a minor overreach.

  1. Headline goes beyond the article

    Minor

    “issues update on EV car rule change”

    Why this matters
    The words "update on EV car rule change" present a rule change as a thing already under way, on which Burnham has given news.
    The impression it gives
    A reader skimming the headline believes the EV rules have changed or are being changed, and that Burnham has announced something new.
    The context
    The body reports only reports and speculation of a possible change. Burnham's own quoted words say "no decision has been made at this point", and other coverage of the same remarks says he insisted no decision had been made.

    How we know

    Show it in the article

What it gets right

  • “these reports are just that: they're reports, they're speculation and no decision has been made at this point”

    The Express quotes Burnham directly, so the reader learns that the reported cuts are unconfirmed.

  • “on phasing out new cars that run only on petrol or diesel by 2030, (that) every new car and van will be zero emissions by 2035 and our legally binding net zero targets”

    The Express sets out the government's stated commitments in full rather than leaving only the industry's case against the targets.

  • “car manufacturers and the motoring industry have suggested this was an unreasonable target”

    The Express attributes the claim that the target is unreasonable to the carmakers rather than stating it as fact.

How other outlets reported it

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