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Ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars delayed to 2035
Prime Minister has confirmed plans to postpone the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035
Words by: Dan Trent
Additional words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 20 September 2023 | 0 min read
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a delay in the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars. Previously this was supposed to happen in 2030 but this will be put back to 2035, bringing the UK into line with the rest of Europe.
Ban on sales of petrol and diesel cars faces a five-year delay
Just to recap, by the previous plans while you’d still be able to own, drive and buy purely petrol or diesel powered cars after 2030 all new cars sold after this point would have to be either EVs or hybrids capable of travelling significant distances without firing up the combustion engine. More on this in Rory Reid’s video on the topic right here! By 2035 the rules would then tighten further, meaning from that point all new cars sold in the UK and Europe would have to be purely electric powered.
This will now be pushed back by five years. The reasons for the change are complicated and part of wider debate within government about how fast the UK needs to move to achieve net zero, and how this can be done fairly in the context of increasing energy prices and the wider cost of living crisis. Time will tell how this is received, but it is likely to cause further confusion and uncertainty in the market, which many in the industry consider unhelpful given the huge investment that’s already been made to hit the 2030 target. This includes manufacturers restructuring their entire product line-ups around hybrids and electric cars, recent investments in UK manufacturing for battery plants to support the switch like Tata’s factory in Somerset and BMW’s confirmation electric Minis will continue to be built in Oxford and the continuing development of the public charging network.
This will now be pushed back by five years. The reasons for the change are complicated and part of wider debate within government about how fast the UK needs to move to achieve net zero, and how this can be done fairly in the context of increasing energy prices and the wider cost of living crisis. Time will tell how this is received, but it is likely to cause further confusion and uncertainty in the market, which many in the industry consider unhelpful given the huge investment that’s already been made to hit the 2030 target. This includes manufacturers restructuring their entire product line-ups around hybrids and electric cars, recent investments in UK manufacturing for battery plants to support the switch like Tata’s factory in Somerset and BMW’s confirmation electric Minis will continue to be built in Oxford and the continuing development of the public charging network.
The rumours faced criticism from industry figures before they were confirmed
“The PM has left the industry and drivers high and dry by sacrificing the 2030 target on the altar of political advantage," says Auto Trader's commercial director Ian Plummer in response to the news. “According to our research only half of people could see how an EV could fit into their lifestyle as it is, suggesting major barriers to adoption. We should be positively addressing concerns over affordability and charging rather than planting seeds of doubt. The 2030 target itself in no way forced UK consumers to pay more as affordable petrol and diesel vehicles will be readily available in the used market for years to come, this announcement has only served to remove trust and confidence in the UK market.”
Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair, commented “Three years ago the government announced the UK’s transition to electric new car and van sales from 2030. The auto industry is investing to meet that challenge. Ford has announced a global $50 billion commitment to electrification, launching nine electric vehicles by 2025. The range is supported by £430 million invested in Ford’s UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 timeframe. This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future. Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three. We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.” Stellantis, the group which owns Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, said it was "committed to achieve 100% zero emission new car and van sales in the UK and Europe by 2030", regardless of any delay to the ban. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said “The automotive industry has and continues to invest billions in new electric vehicles as the decarbonisation of road transport is essential if net zero is to be delivered. Government has played a key part in bringing some of that investment to the UK, and Britain can – and should – be a leader in zero emission mobility both as a manufacturer and market. To make this a reality, however, consumers must want to make the switch, which requires from Government a clear, consistent message, attractive incentives and charging infrastructure that gives confidence rather than anxiety. Confusion and uncertainty will only hold them back.” Expect more on this developing story ahead of Rishi Sunak’s formal announcement on the government’s latest net zero plans, and the specifics of how this may influence your car buying decisions.
Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair, commented “Three years ago the government announced the UK’s transition to electric new car and van sales from 2030. The auto industry is investing to meet that challenge. Ford has announced a global $50 billion commitment to electrification, launching nine electric vehicles by 2025. The range is supported by £430 million invested in Ford’s UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 timeframe. This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future. Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three. We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.” Stellantis, the group which owns Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, said it was "committed to achieve 100% zero emission new car and van sales in the UK and Europe by 2030", regardless of any delay to the ban. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said “The automotive industry has and continues to invest billions in new electric vehicles as the decarbonisation of road transport is essential if net zero is to be delivered. Government has played a key part in bringing some of that investment to the UK, and Britain can – and should – be a leader in zero emission mobility both as a manufacturer and market. To make this a reality, however, consumers must want to make the switch, which requires from Government a clear, consistent message, attractive incentives and charging infrastructure that gives confidence rather than anxiety. Confusion and uncertainty will only hold them back.” Expect more on this developing story ahead of Rishi Sunak’s formal announcement on the government’s latest net zero plans, and the specifics of how this may influence your car buying decisions.