Government confirms 2030 ban to remain

The UK government has confirmed that the 2030 ban of the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will go ahead.

Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan confirmed the decision was part of the government’s ambitions to reach net zero by 2050.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought the ban forward from 2035 to 2030 in November 2020. This followed a previous decision to bring it forward from 2040.

Now the Transport Secretary has confirmed the 2030 ban will be imposed despite challenges facing the industry, such as parts shortages impacting manufacturers, a perceived lack of charging infrastructure, and drivers being unable or unwilling to go electric.

Driving the move towards 2030, the Department for Transport (DfT) set legally binding targets for vehicle manufacturers earlier this year. It has stipulated that 22% of vehicle manufacturers’ new car sales must be zero emission by 2024. This rises to 33% in 2026, 52% in 2028, and 80% in 2030.

A DfT spokesperson said: “The move to electric vehicles is happening worldwide, and we are helping make the UK a world leader in this area by pledging £2.5bn to support the transition. Electric vehicles offer significant opportunities for savings against their petrol and diesel counterparts thanks to cheaper charging, lower maintenance costs and tax incentives – not to mention the potential for creating growth and jobs in the UK.”