UK government rules out changes to 2030 petrol and diesel car ban – report

Less than 24 hours after reports from the UK suggested the government would make changes to its proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, a high-ranking government official has said the existing timeline can be met.

Earlier this week, Autocar reported UK prime minister Rishi Sunak had failed to give a concrete answer when asked whether the radical target could be met – amid mounting pressure on the government to delay its plans to ban new petrol and diesel-only powered cars from showrooms by 2030.

However, the publication has since reported Michael Gove – the UK’s Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – denied the 2030 deadline will be changed.

In an interview on BBC Radio 4, Mr Gove was asked if banning the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered cars in the UK by 2030 would lead to increased prices for motorists, to which he replied; "No, it shouldn’t”.

“We’re committed to maintaining our policy of ensuring that by 2030 there are no new petrol and diesel cars being sold."

“I’m sure there are some people who would like to change that policy, I understand, but no, that policy remains."

The UK’s proposed ban of new petrol and diesel cars was first intended to be enacted by 2040, though the government moved it forwards by a decade to 2030 three years ago – becoming one of the most aggressive emissions reduction policies introduced globally.

While there will be no new cars exclusively powered by petrol or diesel engines in the UK by 2030, certain hybrid vehicles will remain on sale.

By 2035, the UK will adopt the European Union’s stance of banning all new petrol and diesel cars (including hybrids), resulting in only electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles in showrooms.