Petrol and diesel car sale ban delayed to 2035

“I expect that by 2030, the vast majority of cars sold will be electric,” Sunak said during his Net Zero conference on Wednesday 20^th September. 

“Why? Because the costs are reducing, the range is improving, the charging infrastructure is growing. 

“But I also think it should be the consumer that makes that choice, not the government forcing you to do it, because the upfront cost still is high, especially for families struggling with the cost of living. 

“Small businesses are worried about the practicalities and we’ve got further to go to get the charging infrastructure truly nationwide.

“To give us more time to prepare, I’m announcing today that we’re going to ease the transition to electric vehicles. You’ll still be able to buy new petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035.”

The movement of the ban is one of a number of net zero policy changes Sunak wants to make, allegedly prioritising freedom of choice and the easing of financial barriers for British consumers. Sunak also claims that the move would put the UK more in line with the targets of many countries within the EU, including Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

Up to this point the 2030 ban had been considered a key milestone on the road to the UK’s 2050 net zero carbon goal. It’s also been a totem around which the car industry has designed its investments and developmental road maps. The move has as a result, goaded a few sharp-tongued reactions from key figures within the car industry who preside over multi-million-pound investments in the ramp-up to the now-deferred 2030 deadline.

Ford’s UK chair Lisa Brankin, in response to rumours and leaks ahead of the official announcement, highlighted that the auto industry had been “investing to meet the challenge” of 2030.

“Ford has announced a global $50 billion commitment to electrification," she said. "Launching nine electric vehicles by 2025. The range is supported by £430million invested in Ford’s UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 timeframe. 

“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.”

Andy Palmer, former head of Aston Martin and a key figure in Nissan’s early EV push said: “If there’s one thing car companies hate, it’s uncertainty.

“Today’s announcement to row back on the 2030 EV target will have spooked a number of car manufacturers who are looking at the UK as a potential destination for their investment.”

While the delay will be pleasing to some petrolheads and those still sceptical of EV pricing and practicality, there’s no denying this is a big five-year splodge on the best-laid (and not to mention expensive) plans of many manufacturers. 

Many will proceed as if nothing has happened, some will need to now consider a costly course correction: costs that are all but guaranteed to be passed on to the consumer.