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The UK government has initiated a consultation regarding the significance of current zero-emission vehicle targets, while the pledge to eliminate traditional petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and to ensure that new cars and vans are zero-emission by 2035 stays the same.
As per existing regulations, 33% of newly manufactured vehicles must be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 80% by 2030. Gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid cars are not classified as ZEVs. In the first half of 2026, electric vehicles (EVs) made up 25% of new car registrations in the UK, falling short of the 33% target set for 2026, even though manufacturers have several compliance options available.
Heraeus indicates that hybrid vehicles (HEVs, which incorporate both a standard internal combustion engine and an electric motor) will probably be key beneficiaries. In the first half of 2026, HEVs represented 37.7% of registrations in the UK, whereas plug-in hybrids made up an additional 13%. This reflects the scenario in the European market, where hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) were the leading powertrain category in the first half of the year, representing 37.3% of EU registrations, as stated in the report.
As a result, increased regulatory flexibility might extend the demand for autocatalysts that contain palladium as buyers move from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles. This factor will merely slow the decrease in palladium demand within the automotive sector instead of stopping it, as the market keeps transitioning toward ZEVs.
source: bbc.co.uk
As per existing regulations, 33% of newly manufactured vehicles must be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 80% by 2030. Gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid cars are not classified as ZEVs. In the first half of 2026, electric vehicles (EVs) made up 25% of new car registrations in the UK, falling short of the 33% target set for 2026, even though manufacturers have several compliance options available.
Heraeus indicates that hybrid vehicles (HEVs, which incorporate both a standard internal combustion engine and an electric motor) will probably be key beneficiaries. In the first half of 2026, HEVs represented 37.7% of registrations in the UK, whereas plug-in hybrids made up an additional 13%. This reflects the scenario in the European market, where hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) were the leading powertrain category in the first half of the year, representing 37.3% of EU registrations, as stated in the report.
As a result, increased regulatory flexibility might extend the demand for autocatalysts that contain palladium as buyers move from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles. This factor will merely slow the decrease in palladium demand within the automotive sector instead of stopping it, as the market keeps transitioning toward ZEVs.
source: bbc.co.uk
