Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to override net zero policies on electric cars in a huge U-turn, which has sparked backlash from the vehicle industry.Reports state that the Prime Minister is planning to water down the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate following pressure from the industry, The Times claimed.The ZEV mandate outlines targets for manufacturers to have electric cars make up a minimum percentage of total sales, with a target of 33 per cent by the end of this year.These targets will continue to increase over the coming years, reaching 80 per cent of car sales and 70 per cent of van sales by 2030, before only zero emission vehicles will be on sale from 2035.According to the Sunday Times, the ZEV mandate target will be dropped from 80 per cent in 2030 to just 50 per cent.The plans come following sustained concerns from the industry, and most recently, the Unite union, which claimed that thousands of auto jobs could be at risk if the targets are not changed.Any changes to the ZEV mandate would be subject to consultation and require support from devolved administrations, which could cause further issues for Labour when trying to force the new rules through.Labour had previously pledged to only review the ZEV mandate in early 2027, although fresh criticism could prompt an earlier response from the Government.Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce changes to the ZEV mandate in the coming weeks, reports suggest | PA/GETTYThe Times reported that the prospect of job losses across the country has led to the decision to make alterations to the ZEV mandate.Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, warned last week that electric car targets could prompt carmakers to stop selling vehicles in the UK.She cited fines of £11,000 per polluting vehicle sold against the ZEV mandate as a strong enough reason for manufacturers to avoid the UK market.”If the Government sits on its hands, it will be responsible for the decimation of the automotive industry,” Ms Graham said.The ZEV mandate requires manufacturers to have 33 per cent of sales come from electric cars by the end of the year | PAFresh data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that electric car sales had one of the best-selling months, with almost 44,000 new models rolling off forecourts.While this represents a 34.2 per cent spike in year-on-year sales, the market share of EVs stands at 27.3 per cent, well below the required 33 per cent target by the end of the year.Although diesel sales have slumped to a market share below five per cent, petrol registrations make up the bulk of sales, with 41.2 per cent of all new cars sold in May being petrol.Reports of new ZEV mandate targets have been blasted by the electric vehicle industry, including Vicky Read, chief executive of ChargeUK.Experts have warned that watering down electric car targets could decimate the industry | GETTYShe described potential plans to weaken the “key policy” as “astonishing”, warning that the £385billion economic opportunity for transport electrification could be ruined.Ms Read added: “Weakening the ZEV Mandate for a third time would not only slam the brakes on infrastructure rollout and send the entire transition into a tailspin. It would bring Britain’s entire reputation as a market worth investing in into disrepute.”The charging sector has ploughed billions into putting chargers in the ground on the basis of this policy, ahead of profitability. It is expected to support 71,000 jobs by 2035, and we will not see the 334,000 it could provide the foundation for across the automotive sector as it electrifies without the mandate staying as it is.”GB News has contacted the Department for Transport for a comment.