UK to ban sale of new diesel and petrol cars in 2030

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The UK government said in a statement on Wednesday that it would end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans five years earlier than expected, putting it on track to be the first G7 country to decarbonize road transport. Sales of new hybrid vehicles may continue until 2035.

The ban is part of a larger “green industrial revolution” plan announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which includes 12 billion pounds ($ 16 billion) in government investments. The government expects the private sector to contribute more than three times that amount.

“Although this year has taken a very different path than we expected, the UK is looking to the future and seizing the opportunity to rebuild greener,” Johnson said in a statement. “The recovery of our planet and our economies can and must go hand in hand.”

To accelerate sales of cleaner vehicles, the government will spend 1.3 billion pounds ($ 1.7 billion) on electric vehicle charging points and nearly 500 million pounds ($ 664 million) to develop and produce batteries for electric cars. Some £ 582million ($ 773million) in subsidies will make zero-emission, ultra-low-emission vehicles cheaper for consumers.

But the more aggressive deadline could pose problems for the UK auto industry, which has been hampered by years of uncertainty over the country’s exit from the European Union and the economic fallout from the coronavirus. Production has dropped dramatically, and the industry has warned that failing to strike a new trade deal with the European Union by the end-December deadline will cost it £ 47 billion ($ 62.5 billion) over the years. next five years.

“We share the government’s ambition for leadership in decarbonizing road transport and we are committed to this journey,” said Mike Hawes, executive director of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, in a statement. “Manufacturers have invested billions to deliver vehicles that are already helping thousands of drivers go to zero, but this new deadline … poses a huge challenge.”

The new UK deadline is among the most aggressive in the world. Norway, which has a much smaller economy than Britain and a significant head start in the race to put more electric cars on the road, said all new passenger cars and vans sold should be vehicles zero emissions by 2025.

Hawes said a lot more work needs to be done in the UK.

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“Success will depend on ensuring consumers can afford these new technologies, that they will meet their mobility needs and, most importantly, that they will be able to recharge as easily as they refuel. For this, we look to others so that they can mobilize and correspond to our commitment. , “he said.” We will now work with the government on the details of this plan, which must be implemented at a rapid pace to achieve a rapid transition.

Other components of the UK climate plan announced on Wednesday include quadrupling offshore wind production by 2030, boosting hydrogen and nuclear power, improving public transport and boosting efficiency. energy efficiency of houses and public buildings. The government is also keen to step up efforts to plant trees and develop technology to capture carbon emissions before they harm the environment.

“This is a shared global challenge – every country in the world must take action to secure the future of the planet for our children, grandchildren and generations to come,” Johnson said.

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