- The UK’s Labour government will reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, reversing the previous delay to 2035.
- The Department for Transport confirmed the 2030 deadline and plans to accelerate EV charging infrastructure.
- The industry, though initially unsettled by the delay, now anticipates increased support for the transition to electric vehicles.
The Labour government in the UK is preparing to reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars
The UK government will reinstate the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, This is Money and Mail Online Motoring reports. The move from the Labour government reverses the previous administration’s decision to delay the deadline until 2035.
The Department for Transport has confirmed the 2030 date. Officials have promised more details soon.
A Department for Transport spokesperson stated:
“We’re committed to delivering greener transport by supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
This includes phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and accelerating the rollout of charge points. We will set out more details in due course.”
This policy aligns with Labour’s manifesto pledge to bring forward the phase-out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It provides clarity for manufacturers and accelerates the much-needed expansion of the EV charging network.
The UK’s EV sector maligned the delay.
Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV, commented at the time:
“The decision to row back from the now three-years-old commitment to the 2030 timeline is the opposite of what the auto industry needs to play its part in the race to net zero. It is confusing an already confused situation, where the facts have been lost to politics and spin.”
The second-hand EV market has matured throughout 2024, with Auto Trader reporting increased interest in EVs less than five years old. Thanks to this improving market, consumers will now have increased access to EVs. Coupled with incoming models at record-low prices, and the transition seems a far less scary prospect than it may have a couple of years ago.
The industry needs stability.
Leading automotive companies were working under long-established plans based on the 2030 target before the delay. They’re now being asked to revert back to those plans. Despite its sustainability positivities, the reversal will require support.
Since their election in July, Labour has shown a real interest in emobility. The plan includes binding targets for charging point installations, removing barriers to their rollout, and making chargepoint data publicly accessible. The party also intends to invest £1.5 billion in new gigafactories. This investment will propel the UK towards becoming a leader in the global automotive industry.
The delay reversal is a milestone in the UK’s push towards green transport. While challenges remain, the government and the automotive industry are pulling in the same direction. With support and collaboration, the 2030 deadline is a real and achievable ambition.
