Government expected to confirm restoration of 2030 phase-out date for non-hybrid petrol and diesel cars
Wed 18 September 2024
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The new Labour Government looks set to reinstate the 2030 end date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. A consultation is expected to be announced which will determine the type of hybrid vehicles eligible for sale until 2035, a return to the previous Government's position in 2020.
Though not specifically mentioned in Labour's General Election manifesto, several Labour spokespeople are on record prior to the election as stating that Labour would reverse Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's 2023 decision to delay the phase-out to 2035. The policy was not included in the recent King's speech, but ministers have confirmed the intention to revert to the 2030 deadline in several public forums held since the General Election.
The phase-out for 'standard' petrol and diesel cars is closely linked to the ZEV mandate, which was introduced in January 2024. The mandate requires car manufacturers to sell a minimum percentage of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), with the percentage increasing from 22% in 2024 to 80% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. The ZEV mandate is intended to give manufacturers more certainty and provide consumers with a wider range of EV options.
Fleet News has reported that the sale of new hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to be allowed until 2035, with the Department for Transport (DfT) to consult on what the qualifying criteria will be.
Reported by Fleet News, a Government spokesperson said: “This Government’s policy has always been to revert to the original 2030 phase out date for the sale of new vehicles with pure internal combustion engines.
“The original phase out date included the provision for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 2035. We will set out further details on this in due course.”
Speaking at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association’s (BVRLA) annual Parliamentary reception, Richard Bruce, director of transport decarbonisation at the DfT, said that there will be no changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate..
The Government is expected to publish further details in the near future.
Image: Courtesy Unsplash
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