New petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles to be banned from 2035

4th February 2020 | Commercial Energy

The UK will ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from 2035, bringing forward the original date by five years. The announcement will come later today when Prime Minister Boris Johnson launches COP26, a major climate summit which will be held in Glasgow in November. The 2035 date could even be moved forward further, subject to a consultation, to help the UK meet its 2050 net-zero climate target.

The government announced the 2040 date in 2017 but has faced pressure to bring forward the date in line with other European countries. Netherlands, Ireland and Denmark will all phase out new petrol and diesels in 2030 and Norway will in 2025. In the government’s original 2040 plan, hybrid vehicles were given an exemption, which has now been removed.
2019 was a record year for EV and hybrid sales in the UK. Battery electric vehicles (BEV) experienced the biggest percentage growth, rising by 144.0% to 37,850 units. However, they still represent a tiny share of the market and are still dwarfed by sales of petrol and diesel vehicles. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say, “Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight against climate change. As we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net-zero target across this year, so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions.

“There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a Global Britain is prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming – it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, green future for all.”

Mike Hawes, chief executive, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the government is offering uncertainty to carmakers. “It’s extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue,” he said.

More information available on the website below

https://airqualitynews.com/2020/02/04/new-petrol-diesel-and-hybrid-vehicles-to-be-banned-from-2035/