VMs call for delay to ICE ban

Some vehicle manufacturers are asking for a five-year delay to the government’s 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said that many had expressed concerns about meeting the 2030 deadline during the Second Zero Emission Vehicle Transition council meeting held at the end of March, which was attended by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and other key stakeholders.

He said: “Many of the manufacturers felt the DfT needed to set an end date for sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines, with many suggesting a realistic phase out date could be 2035. Combined with incentives and tax support, they thought that such a deadline would help drive the acceleration of zero emission vehicles until the time when price parity is achieved with petrol models.”

Shapps said the manufacturers also wanted the government to help stimulate electric vehicle (EV) sales and invest in charging infrastructure.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “We need incentives that tempt consumers, infrastructure that is robust and charging points that provide reassurance, so that zero-emission mobility will be possible for everyone, regardless of income or location.”

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