Conservatives would end 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars | Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars
The Conservatives have announced proposals to end the ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and reduce the legal requirement for car makers to sell electric vehicles.
A Conservative government would abolish the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, ending the legal requirement for manufacturers to sell a fixed and increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year – 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035. It would also end the total ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
A future Conservative government would also remove all non-research and development subsidies associated with the ZEV mandate to “relieve manufacturers of more costly regulatory obligations”, which the party estimates would save £3.8 billion over the next decade. Ministers would retain infrastructure funding to continue to develop the electric vehicle market.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, said: “Labour’s rush to net zero is having a disastrous effect on the UK car industry. The Conservatives will ensure we protect the environment, but we will do so without forcing families to bear the brunt of the costs and without forcing car manufacturers to meet deadlines that do not reflect consumer demand.
“By removing the ZEV mandate and the ban on petrol cars, we are putting fairness and common sense back into the system and saving taxpayers money. Britain succeeds when we support business and support innovation – that is our plan for a stronger economy.”
Writing in the Telegraph, Badenoch said she was inspired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her “common sense approach to net zero”, which demanded that “any initiative to tackle carbon emissions must not damage the Italian economy”.
The previous Conservative government postponed the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 in 2023. However, Labor has reinstated the ban and will require every new car to be zero emissions by 2035, on the grounds that the timetable will provide certainty for manufacturers and consumers.
The ZEV mandate is a result of the Climate Change Act and its net zero duty for 2050, which the Conservatives have pledged to repeal.
Doug Parr, policy director at Greenpeace UK, said: “Nothing the Conservatives are suggesting is likely to come into force before 2029, a year after the ban comes into force. A U-turn now would create chaos after years of preparing for electric cars, waste effort, put jobs at risk and leave Britain stuck in reverse gear while the rest of the world accelerates towards cleaner, cheaper cars.”
“If ever a political party wanted to sow confusion and uncertainty in one of Britain’s most important manufacturing industries, here’s how to do it. It’s the opposite of what’s needed to reduce pollution, reduce operating costs for drivers and secure long-term jobs.”
“Chinese electric vehicles will soon be better and cheaper than anything from Europe or the UK. A phase-out date to encourage UK manufacturing must be part of the answer. Scrapping the rules would be a complete disaster. It would undermine investment and leave manufacturers facing uncertainty in a rapidly changing global market. The Conservatives introduced this policy, and they should let it go.”
A government spokesperson said: “We remain committed to phasing out all sales of new non-zero emissions cars and vans by 2035. More drivers than ever are choosing electric, and November saw another month of increased sales, with electric vehicles accounting for one in four cars sold.
“We are investing more than £7.5 billion to help drivers and manufacturers go net zero. This includes an investment of £4 billion to support UK manufacturing and R&D, create jobs and drive growth in the sector.”
“Our Electric Car Grant makes choosing an electric vehicle cheaper than ever, with over 40,000 drivers having saved up to £3,750 since launch, supported by a further £1.3 billion announced in the Autumn Budget.”
