The UK government has officially relaxed its plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. One of the key points from this update is that hybrid cars will not be banned until 2035, as long as they can cover a “significant distance” using electric power alone.
A Smoother Transition
The government says the change is all about giving people more time to adapt to electric vehicles. The original 2030 deadline was ambitious, and while the intention was to accelerate the shift to zero-emission motoring, there were growing concerns about whether the UK was truly ready for it.
Infrastructure, affordability, and availability of EVs are still major talking points. Public charging networks are expanding, but not fast enough in some areas. And with the cost-of-living crisis still in full swing, not everyone is in a position to invest in a new EV just yet.
By shifting the full ban to 2035, the government is aiming for a more balanced approach, keeping sustainability on track, but recognising that a successful transition needs to be practical and fair.
What Counts as a Hybrid?
Under the revised plan, new hybrid cars and vans can still be sold up to 2035, as long as they can travel a “significant distance” in electric-only mode. That means plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are likely to be the main type of vehicle that feels the positive impacts of the change, rather than traditional mild hybrids that rely more on their petrol or diesel engines.
This gives buyers more choice and gives manufacturers a bit more time to develop and roll out EV technology, while continuing to sell lower-emission models in the meantime.
Industry Reaction
Unsurprisingly, many carmakers have welcomed the delay. Brands like Toyota, which have championed hybrid technology for a while, have said this gives them a more realistic path toward full electrification. Ford, while still committed to EVs, previously warned that strict 2030 rules could hit investment and jobs in the UK.
The new timeline also brings the UK more in line with the EU’s own 2035 ban on new combustion engine vehicles, which helps simplify things for global manufacturers trying to plan product lines and factory investments.
Still Committed to Net Zero
Despite the delay, the UK government insists it’s still fully committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. In fact, they say 80% of new cars sold in the UK by 2030 are still expected to be electric. The change in the rules is just about giving the industry and consumers a little more breathing room.
Official Release From The UK Government
The UK Government website says:
The changes, which reflect extensive consultation, will help the car industry by:
- increasing flexibility of the mandate for manufacturers up to 2030, so that more cars can be sold in later years when demand is higher
- allowing hybrid cars – like the Toyota Prius and Nissan e-Power – to be sold until 2035 to help ease the transition and give industry more time to prepare
- continuing to boost demand for electric vehicles, on top of the £2.3 billion we’re already spending on boosting British manufacturing and improving charging infrastructure – with a new charge-point popping up every half an hour
- pressing on with tax breaks worth hundreds of millions of pounds to help people switch to electric vehicles
Support for the car industry will be kept under review as the impact of new tariffs become clear.
This package is the latest in a series of pro-growth measures that the Prime Minister is announcing to counter the impact of new global headwinds and build a strong, resilient economy with more well-paid jobs.
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