Labour Party Pledges to Reinstate Ban on Petrol and Diesel Cars by 2030
The upcoming general election in the UK has brought the issue of banning petrol and diesel cars to the forefront once again. The Labour Party has pledged to reintroduce the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 if it wins the election. This is in contrast to the Conservative government’s decision to delay the ban until 2035.
The government’s decision to delay the ban was met with mixed reactions from the industry. Ford UK boss Lisa Brankin criticized the decision, stating that it would undermine the transition to electric cars. On the other hand, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) hailed the delay as pragmatic, and Toyota welcomed it.
The Labour Party argues that moving the ban back to 2030 would bring certainty for car manufacturers. In its election manifesto, Labour also promises to support the transition to electric vehicles by accelerating the rollout of EV charging points. It also plans to introduce a battery health standard to support sales of used EVs.
Regardless of the ban’s date, there is already existing legislation in place that requires car manufacturers to gradually transition towards electric cars. The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets limits on the ratio of non-ZEVs that manufacturers can sell each year. For example, this year, 22% of each car brand’s sales must be ZEVs. This ratio increases annually, reaching 100% in 2035.
Before the ban was delayed, there was provision for hybrids with significant zero-emission capability (SZEC) to remain on sale between 2030 and 2035. If the ban is reinstated in 2030, it is possible that this provision will be retained, avoiding the need for adjustments to the ZEV mandate.
Other political parties have also expressed their stance on the issue. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to restore the 2030 ban, while the Green Party wants to bring the deadline forward to 2027 and completely phase out petrol and diesel cars on British roads by 2035. On the other hand, Reform UK wants to scrap both the ban and the ZEV mandate.
Overall, the debate over banning petrol and diesel cars continues to be a key issue in the UK. The differing views from political parties and industry leaders highlight the complexities and challenges involved in transitioning to electric vehicles. However, it is clear that there is a growing consensus that the future of transportation lies in electric mobility.
