UPDATE: The UK ban on new petrol and diesel cars and vans has been pushed back from 2030 to 2035, Rishi Sunak has announced.
"We're going to ease the transition to electric vehicles. You'll still be able to buy petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035," the Prime Minister said in a speech from Downing Street this afternoon. "Even after that, you'll still be able to buy and sell them secondhand."
Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is considering weakening some of the government’s key green policies, according to a report by the BBC. This could include phasing out gas boilers and the 2030 ban on the sale of new ICE cars and vans, which may move back to 2035 in line with the EU.
The Prime Minister will deliver a speech in Downing Street at 4.30pm today amid speculation he will water down some of Britain’s critical net zero pledges.
In a statement released today, Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair commented: “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.”
Brankin highlighted how the auto industry is investing to meet 2030 challenge, announced by the government three years ago: “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. “
Andrew Leech (pictured above), founder and managing director of Fleet Evolution said Government proposals to water down agreed climate policies risked harm to the economy and future investment.
“We stand on the verge of a second Industrial Revolution as we move away from the reliance on fossil fuels to a future of cleaner energy based on renewables.
“And the UK was very well placed to be right at the forefront of that Revolution to become an economic powerhouse in the new technologies.
“Now we see Government considering moves to harm that development and risk not only our economic futures, but the future of the planet too. The two go very much hand in hand and taking a short term approach like this risks harming both,” he said.
Mr Leech said that many manufacturers had formed their future investment plans around the 2030 deadline for the ban on new ICE models and to delay the transition risked harming that investment.
The SMMT also warned of the impact of such a delay on the automotive industry and its investment in the UK.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes (pictured above) stressed: “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.”
