Government鈥檚 consultation, published today, on potential changes to the ZEV Mandate is welcome and much needed. A review had been factored into the regulation from its outset, but bringing it forward has become increasingly important given the challenges manufacturers face with every passing month. It matters, therefore, not just because the mandate influences the competitiveness of one of the country鈥檚 most important sectors, but because it will help determine the success of Britain鈥檚 EV transition. Getting both right is imperative.

Policy must now respond to the evidence 鈥� and it shows overwhelmingly that the optimistic assumptions underpinning the mandate鈥檚 current trajectory have not materialised. Industrial energy costs remain uncompetitive, public charging is still too expensive and inconsistent, while raw material and battery costs remain too high. EV demand has accelerated, which is a cause for celebration, but only with billions of pounds of manufacturer and government discounts. This is unsustainable 鈥� causing significant harm to the sector and, perversely, actually threatens the success of the transition and overall global carbon reduction. This is why every manufacturer, locally manufacturing or importing, in credit or not, believes the UK will not meet its 2030 target.

The consequences are severe: lost profitability, damaged competitiveness, undermined residual values, and, in the longer term, narrower model choice and reduced investment in domestic manufacturing. This is not the way to deliver a sustainable transition. The consultation, therefore, is the opportunity for government to take stock and optimise the transition to work for all.

Reform of the mandate must be meaningful, delivering material changes rather than marginal adjustments that kick the can down the road. Industry鈥檚 commitment to zero emission mobility remains unwavering, but change must give automotive businesses the conditions they need 鈥� to invest, protect skilled jobs across the country, strengthen Britain鈥檚 manufacturing base, and deliver the net zero transition in a way that is sustainable and permanent.

Certainty is even more important for government鈥檚 ambition for vehicle manufacturing growth and supply chain scale-up through its Modern Industrial Strategy and DRIVE35 programme. The latest announcement of nearly 拢130 million in matched government-industry investment to support cutting-edge ZEV technology and jobs is welcome and reflects UK Automotive鈥檚 strategic importance. But investment support and market regulation must pull in the same direction. DRIVE35 can help companies innovate, commercialise and scale here at home, but its impact will be blunted if the domestic market is made uncompetitive by regulation that runs ahead of demand.

Many more investment decisions are due, which is why the consultation must be completed urgently, giving manufacturers clarity for 2027 and beyond and avoiding further damage to profitability, competitiveness and the UK鈥檚 attractiveness as an investment destination. With the review underway, government has a chance to put the UK鈥檚 automotive transition on a more realistic and competitive footing, and industry will work with policymakers to deliver that outcome to secure jobs and growth nationwide.

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For further detail on the announcement, visit:

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Musso is a name with real strength and great value in the pick-up sector, and the all-new Musso Rhino and Rhino+ represent a major step forward for the brand. These models bring together the durability and work-ready capability customers expect from KGM, while adding a more confident design, a significantly upgraded cabin and the latest convenience and safety technology.

For business users, rural customers and lifestyle drivers alike, Musso Rhino and Rhino+ deliver a compelling balance of strength, comfort and value. With 3.5-tonne towing, payloads of up to 1,200kg and a highly specified interior, this is the next chapter for Korea鈥檚 original pick-up, built for customers who need a vehicle that works hard every day while still feeling refined and capable on every journey.

Both Musso Rhino and Musso Rhino+ are backed by KGM鈥檚 5-year or 100,000-mile warranty, and are available now at our dealers.

What about the engines and gearboxes?

Engineered for serious working capability, both models are powered by KGM鈥檚 2.2 litre e-XDi diesel engine, producing 202 PS at 3,800rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 2,800rpm. Paired with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain is designed to deliver strong low-speed pulling power, refined everyday performance and the confidence required for towing, load carrying and demanding terrain.

How are the vehicles designed to deal with different conditions?

Musso Rhino and Musso Rhino+ are equipped with selectable 4×4 and low range, allowing drivers to switch between 2WD high range, 4WD high range and 4WD low range depending on road, weather and off-road conditions. Hill start assist and hill descent control further support driver confidence, while the locking differential helps the vehicle regain traction on mud, snow and other slippery surfaces.

Increased ground clearance and enhanced approach and departure angles also strengthen its off-road credentials, helping drivers tackle rougher terrain with greater confidence. Rhino offers 245mm of minimum ground clearance, with a 30.9 degree approach angle and 27.8 degree departure angle, while Rhino+ provides 248mm of minimum ground clearance, with a 30.6 degree approach angle and 24.5 degree departure angle.

How capable are they for towing and carrying goods?

Towing strength remains one of Musso鈥檚 defining attributes, with both Rhino and Rhino+ offering a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, supported by trailer sway control, rear-view camera, Clear Sight View and a 360潞 3D surround view monitoring system. Rhino delivers a gross train weight of 6,750kg, while Rhino+ increases this to a segment-leading 6,900kg, helping customers tow heavy trailers while still carrying a substantial payload simultaneously.

Practicality is central to the new Musso proposition, with the load bed designed to carry an entire Euro-pallet with ease. Rhino offers 1,011 litres of load bed capacity and a payload of 1,090kg, while Rhino+ increases this to 1,262 litres and 1,200kg respectively, giving it the biggest pick-up load bed on the road by volume.

Both models are supported by a standard load bed liner, eight lashing hooks, a wide opening tailgate, LED load bed lamp and rear bumper corner steps, making loading, unloading and securing cargo easier in everyday working environments.

The load bed dimensions underline the model鈥檚 working credentials, with Rhino offering a 1,300mm load bed length and Rhino+ extending this to 1,610mm. Both models share a 1,570mm load bed width and 570mm depth, creating generous, usable space for tools, materials, equipment or leisure gear.

What are its safety features?

Both models feature high-strength-steel construction, an ultra-rigid quad frame, door impact beams, six airbags and a broad suite of smart safety systems.

These include Electronic Stability Programme, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Anti-Lock Brake System, Traction Control System, Brake Assist System, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Change Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Safety Exit Warning, hill start assist, hill descent control and Trailer Sway Control.

Kevin Griffin

Managing Director at KGM Motors UK

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These all-electric trucks, which provide a less stressful environment for drivers, reduce noise and air pollution in densely populated areas, by providing near-silent operation and zero tailpipe emissions.

In addition, organisations looking to achieve their decarbonisation goals are being helped by the excellent and growing range of trucks on offer from vehicle manufacturers and specialist bodybuilders.

For example, London-based waste and recycling management company Powerday recently took delivery of two electric Volvo FM Low Entry hookloaders.

Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus South & East, the new additions, fitted with Boughton hookloader bodywork, are used to support waste and recycling operations across London.

Each five-star Direct Vision Standard-rated Volvo FM Low Entry rigid is equipped with four traction batteries, delivering a total battery capacity of 360 kWh.

Built on Volvo鈥檚 FM platform, the battery-electric cab has been lowered and moved forward to improve direct visibility for drivers, while a low entry step and flat floor make access easier and safer for city-based waste and recycling work.

Onboard safety technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning and Advanced Emergency Braking, Driver Alert Support, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Support and Side Collision Avoidance Support systems, as well as Volvo Dynamic Steering.

Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East also worked closely with Powerday to conduct detailed route simulations, ensuring the trucks were configured with the most suitable battery capacity and performance characteristics for their intended duties.

The new EVs are charged using the company鈥檚 existing 150 kW DC charging infrastructure at its Willesden Junction facility in London, and each vehicle is expected to cover up to 30,000 kilometres per year as part of Powerday鈥檚 operations.

Both trucks are covered by a five-year Volvo Gold repair & maintenance contract, and the agreement includes a performance guarantee for the traction batteries beyond the standard two-year warranty supplied with the vehicles.

Edward Crossan, CEO of Powerday, said: 鈥淭he FM Low Entry gives us a strong platform to move faster on safety and sustainability simultaneously, reinforcing our drive to cut emissions while improving how we work.

鈥淚n a carbon intensive transport environment, progress comes from innovation and the willingness to adopt new technology early, and we see Volvo Trucks as the ideal collaborator in achieving our decarbonisation goals.鈥�

Also, Grundon Waste Management has just taken delivery of its largest battery electric vehicle truck order to date 鈥� four DAF XD FAN 270 Electric 6×2 rear steer rigid chassis with specialist trade waste collection bodies.

The new vehicles, which all feature bespoke bodywork from Dennis Eagle, operate out of the company鈥檚 Colnbrook facility near Slough.

They carry 420kWh of stored energy, which equates to about 370kWh useable, giving a range in excess of 200 miles on a full charge.

The order takes the current number of electric trade waste vehicles on the fleet 鈥� including several repowered trucks 鈥� to ten.

Colnbrook is also home to Grundon鈥檚 own power supply, responsible for recharging the EVs.

The four new DAFs will soon be joined by five more XD Electrics that will run with a slightly smaller battery pack and be used as part of Grundon鈥檚 waste operations powered by the waste they collect.

Stephen Townsend, Group Fleet Engineer at Grundon Waste Management said: 鈥淲e generate our own power by recovering energy from non-recyclable waste we鈥檝e collected and turning it into electricity to power the trucks.鈥�

Meanwhile, Keenan Recycling, a Biffa company, has put a fully electric food waste collection vehicle into service.

The new 20-tonne fully electric Renault Trucks D18 Wide chassis, fitted with a specialist Macpac 110 food waste body, operates across Glasgow and the Central Belt.

With an estimated 6.5-tonne payload, the vehicle has been engineered to meet the demanding requirements of food waste collections, and features a special battery relocation behind the cab to allow a side-loader food waste body.

There are four 94kWh batteries 鈥� 300kWh usable energy 鈥� with a real-world range of just under 180km per charge.

Aaron Davison, Sales Engineer for Electromobility, Renault Trucks UK & Ireland, said: 鈥淭he side-mounted battery configuration was a first for Renault Trucks in the UK, and demonstrates the strong collaboration between our teams, working together with Macpac and Biffa to deliver the right vehicle solution for food waste collection.

鈥淲ith zero tailpipe emissions, low noise and excellent manoeuvrability, it is ideal for operating in busy urban environments while delivering significant CO鈧� reduction compared to diesel.鈥�

Salford City Council has also introduced an all-electric, 27-tonne Mercedes-Benz eEconic refuse collection vehicle (RCV) to its fleet.

The eEconic combines zero emissions with a high payload capacity similar to its diesel counterpart and an operational range of at least 150km in refuse operations, making it suited to the stop-start demands of urban refuse collection.

It was selected after an extensive evaluation programme when it completed daily rounds on a single charge and returned to the depot with 40 to 60% spare battery capacity.

At 27 tonnes when fully loaded 鈥� only one tonne more than the typical 26-tonne diesel equivalent 鈥� the eEconic handles more than 1,200 bins per day as part of the council鈥檚 36-truck fleet.

Salford City Council is targeting net-zero by 2038 through natural fleet replacement where possible.

Alan Fitzsimons, Transport Manager at Salford City Council, said: 鈥淭he vehicle is 100% electric, and the range and regenerative braking are excellent.

鈥淚t has surpassed all our expectations and we鈥檙e proud to lead the way in sustainable waste collection for Salford residents.鈥�

All these examples highlight the excellent performance, reliability, and day-to-day usability of electric vehicles in waste and recycling operations, and show that they will play a key role in shaping a more sustainable future.

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This funding, made through the 拢4 billion DRIVE35 programme, is designed to support the UK鈥檚 transition towards zero emission vehicles while strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains.

For fleet operators, it could help accelerate the development of technologies that will influence the next generation of electric vans, including improvements in batteries, electrification, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation and zero emission mobility.

The latest allocation will support projects with a combined value of more than 拢90 million, with Government funding being matched by significant private-sector investment.

DRIVE35 is delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK.

It forms part of the Government鈥檚 Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and Industrial Strategy.

The funding has been split across four areas of the DRIVE35 programme.

Sixteen early-stage businesses, including start-ups, university spinouts and SMEs, will receive more than 拢2.7 million through the Mobilise programme, which is intended to support breakthrough automotive technologies.

A further two collaborative research and development projects will receive more than 拢8 million through Collaborate, while 10 projects focused on demonstrating technologies in real-world conditions will receive 拢9 million through Demonstrate.

The largest allocation is through the Scale-up Fund, with five projects receiving 拢26.9 million to help move technologies from development into manufacturing at scale.

Industry Minister Blair McDougall said: 鈥淏ritain invented the modern motor industry and we鈥檙e determined to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed and built here too.鈥�

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Entering service around North London, the new vehicles form part of Arriva鈥檚 recently announced 拢340m UK investment.

They join the large number of Volvo buses already operating across Arriva鈥檚 network, with 63 B8RLE MCV eVoRas currently on order for deployment in Bangor, Luton, Luton Airport and Teesside in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The BZL Electric platform is powered by the group鈥檚 200 kW electric driveline, which pairs with an electric motor and a two鈥憇peed automated gearbox, propeller shaft and conventional rear axle.

Each vehicle is equipped with five lithium鈥慽on batteries providing 470 kW/h of onboard energy storage, with additional range supported by a regenerative braking system that recovers energy during deceleration and feeds it back into the vehicle as clean, usable power.

Arriva has invested 拢15.6m in 71 Volvo vehicles so far this year, building on the alliance that saw more than 53 Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRas delivered in 2025.

Of last year鈥檚 deliveries, 30 were delivered to The Shires operation serving Luton, including Busway and Airport, Dunstable and Houghton Regis.

These models were part of Arriva鈥檚 拢11.2 million investment in Busway services last year. A further 15 vehicles were delivered to the Shrewsbury depot, six to Redcar, and 10 joining the fleet at the operator鈥檚 Bootle depot in Merseyside.

Daniel Tanner, Service Market Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, said: 鈥淓ach of Arriva鈥檚 Volvos is supported by the full strength of our national Volvo Truck & Bus dealerpoint network, spanning more than 80 locations across the UK.鈥�

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Built across 2.5 acres at the Old Ely Transport Yard on Lamby Way Industrial Estate in Cardiff, the development features high-powered charging infrastructure capable of supporting the heaviest electric trucks on the market.

The hub is live and operational and will initially host eight 480kW double-gun DC chargers, infrastructure that was financed, designed and installed by EV fleet and battery storage specialist Zenob膿.

These 480kW chargers can power vehicles up with 190 miles of range in one hour.

While mainly powering FSEW’s own fleet-including the new Volvo FM and Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, the hub will also be available for third party charging by agreed external van and arctic truck operators with compatible vehicles.

This project follows the successful launch of FSEW’s GreenFlow service, an industry-first framework that allows clients to achieve international net-zero shipping across road, rail, air, and sea, supporting their path to net zero freight.

The site will also support a recruitment drive for up to 50 new drivers as FSEW aims to expand its electric fleet to 70 vehicles by 2027.

The eFreight Hub development is supported by a grant from UK government鈥檚 Depot Charging Scheme, highlighting the project’s strategic importance to national infrastructure.

Geoff Tomlinson, Managing Director at FSEW, said: 鈥淏y providing accessible, high-power charging, we are removing one of the biggest barriers facing operators today: range and charging anxiety.鈥�

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This week鈥檚 announcements underlined that momentum, among them government backing for a new wave of CAM Pathfinder projects with 拢17 million to develop, test and commercialise technologies including self-driving capability, advanced sensors, brake-by-wire systems and AI simulation. Crucially, these projects are not confined to private cars or taxis 鈥� they cover use cases including scheduled bus services, airside airport operations and depot movements, showing that autonomy should be treated as an industrial and commercial transport opportunity, not a novelty.

That matters because automating buses and commercial vehicles can help to tackle real problems those sectors are facing today. They could support more frequent, reliable services where driver shortages, operating costs or thin demand make routes difficult to sustain. They can also improve utilisation and safety particularly in controlled environments, such as depots, ports, airports and distribution centres. Meanwhile, for on-road logistics, long-distance haulage and last-mile delivery, there is scope to reduce downtime, increase efficiency and strengthen supply chain resilience.

SMMTanalysis suggests connected and automated mobility could deliver an annual 拢66 billion economic benefit to the UK by 2040 if deployment moves beyond trials into real, scaled up commercial use. The same analysis identifies major opportunities in logistics and passenger transport alongside other operations in warehouses, ports and airports.

The UK already has strong foundations to nurture CAV innovation; a mature automotive sector, specialist testbeds, supportive legislation and a growing ecosystem of technology providers and trailblazing fleet operators. Continued funding will help turn promising innovation into practical deployment, supporting the partnerships needed to bring connected and automated mobility into everyday use.

But leadership will not be secured by pilots and demonstrations alone. Commercial deployment will require clear regulation, robust safety assurance, public confidence, cyber resilience, data governance and investment in the supply chains that can build and maintain these systems at scale. These are challenges and opportunities which SMMTand our members will continue working on in partnership with government to deliver long-term success for the UK鈥檚 self-driving vehicle transition.

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The UK鈥檚 used car market returned to growth in the second quarter, up 0.7% as 2,009,318 vehicles changed hands, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (91制片厂官网).  

The performance marked the first Q2 since 2021 in which volumes surpassed two million units, with transactions just -1.2% below pre-pandemic levels.¹ This helped offset the marginal decline recorded in Q1, delivering overall market growth of 0.2% year to date, with 4,025,550 transactions.  

In the second quarter, battery electric car transactions rose 67.0% to 110,761 units, the strongest quarterly growth since Q1 2024.² Demand rose particularly sharply in April and May (up 110.9% and 57.6% respectively compared with 37.8% in June), coinciding with fuel price rises linked to the Middle East conflict and set against a relatively weak performance last year when VED changes came into effect. Between April and June, more than one in 18 buyers (5.5%) made the switch, up from around one in 30 (3.3%) a year ago, reflecting the growing choice of models entering the market.

Hybrid electric vehicle sales also rose, up 31.2% to 130,825 units, increasing their market share to 6.5% from 5.0% in the same period last year. Plug-in hybrid transactions, meanwhile, fell by -6.8% to 22,856 units, accounting for 1.1% of overall demand, down from 1.2% in 2025.

Petrol remained the most popular fuel type, despite transactions falling by -1.2% to 1,121,243, while diesel sales continued to decline, down -7.2% to 620,045, reflecting shorter supply from the new car market. Even so, almost nine in 10 (86.7%) buyers still chose conventionally fuelled cars in the quarter.

Superminis remained Britain鈥檚 best-selling used car type, accounting for 31.7% of demand, with volumes rising 0.2%. The lower medium segment followed, with a 26.6% market share and a 0.2% increase. Dual purpose cars recorded the strongest growth, up 7.4% to secure 17.7% of overall sales.

Following the trend in the new car market, monochrome colours dominated, with more than one million used cars sold in black, grey or white (1,134,536). All three recorded growth in the quarter, up 0.7%, 4.1%, and 4.7%, respectively, and together accounted for more than half (56.5%) of the market. Blue ranked fourth despite a -1.1% decline, while silver retained fifth place despite a -6.4% decline in sales.

Notes to editors

All used car data published by SMMTis correct based on information available at the time of publication. SMMTused car data is derived from information supplied by the DVLA, which periodically revises historic data, resulting in variations in previously reported data. 

1. Q2 2021 used car transactions: 2,167,504 vehicles; Q2 2019 used car transactions: 2,034,236 vehicles
2. BEV transactions rose 78.8% in Q1 2024

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