2030 petrol/diesel ban date confirmed following consultation

The government has published its response to the consultation on ending the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans.

It cements the government's plans to bring forward the phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2030, and that from 2035, all new cars and vans must be fully zero emission at the tailpipe.

A total of 1,478 responses to the consultation were submitted - 1,305 from individuals and 173 from organisations such as vehicle manufacturers and companies with large fleets of vehicles.

Of those disagreeing with bringing the phase out date forward, four main barriers were raised - the readiness of the chargepoint infrastructure market; the readiness of the vehicle manufacturing industry; inadequate battery supply; and the impact on consumers.

On infrastructure, respondents who disagreed with bringing the date forward were of the view that the public did not have sufficient confidence in the public charging network or the current technology offer.

The impact of a faster transition on the automotive manufacturing industry and, separately, the ability of this sector to meet required vehicle supply was another major theme in favour of keeping the existing 2040 phase out date.

Vehicle manufacturer respondents also observed that they would need to be confident that, in the event of a faster transition, there would be sufficient consumer demand for the increased supply of ZEVs, flagging challenges in adapting mass-market consumers over to new products and behaviours.

The government concluded that between 2030 and 2035, new cars and vans can be sold if they if they have significant zero emission capability, which would include some plug-in and full hybrids. But the "significant zero emission capability" would be defined through consultation later this year.

The consultation report says: "We acknowledge that setting a target will not deliver change on its own. We have already committed £1.5 billion to support the early market and remove barriers to ZEV ownership. We know more must be done to ready the country for mass ZEV ownership and ensure it happens at the pace we want to see. Alongside the new phase out dates we have pledged a further £2.8 billion package of measures to support industry and consumers to make the switch to cleaner vehicles.

"This will provide more grants for plug in vehicles, infrastructure provision across the country and help secure investment in the electric vehicle supply chain, including UK gigafactories. Our funding, supported by proportionate regulation will help ensure our target is delivered."

Read the consultation response here.