UK’s proposed ban of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 in doubt – report

The United Kingdom’s proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030 is now in doubt, after the country’s prime minister reportedly failed to give a concrete answer on whether the radical target could be met.

UK publication Autocar reports there have been rumours the ban – which would result in only hybrid and electric cars being sold in the country by 2030, before a switch to electric-only by 2035 – cannot be legislated to its current proposed timeline.

When asked whether the UK would stick with its commitment to ban new petrol and diesel-only powered cars from showrooms by 2030, British prime minister Rishi Sunak reportedly side-stepped the question.

According to Autocar, Mr Sunak said the UK would “make progress towards net zero” – which it aims to achieve by 2050 – in a “proportionate and pragmatic way” which “doesn’t unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives”.

A spokesperson for the prime minister told The Times the 2030 date is still a target, though the government wants to “ensure that this approach is proportionate and pragmatic and doesn’t unfairly impact the public.”

While the UK’s proposed ban of new petrol and diesel cars was first intended to be enacted by 2040, the government moved it forwards by a decade to 2030 three years ago – becoming one of the most aggressive emissions reduction policies introduced globally.

The Times also reported the UK government is contemplating an exemption from the ban for low-volume car-makers which produce fewer than 1000 vehicles annually – allowing them more time to adjust to electric-only cars.

The European Union – of which the UK is no longer a member – continues to debate its own proposed emissions reduction legislation, which would result in car-makers of passenger vehicles cutting their new-car tailpipe emissions by 55 per cent before 2030 (compared to 2021 levels), while a 100 per cent reduction will be enforced from 2035.

Last month, news agency Reuters reported the Polish Government was preparing to appeal the EU’s proposed ban in the European Court of Justice – claiming the plans haven’t taken the social consequences of the regulations into account.

Poland had previously formed an alliance with six other European nations to push back on the ban in March. 

The post UK’s proposed ban of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 in doubt – report appeared first on Drive.