2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles

author: FutureCar Staff    

A survey of car dealers conducted by Close Brothers Motor Finance has found that most expect the UK government's ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 to be delayed or cancelled entirely. According to the survey, 85% of car dealers do not believe the ban will go ahead as planned. The survey, which received responses from 157 UK dealerships, also revealed that 66% of dealers think the ban will be delayed, while 18% believe it will be scrapped altogether. Additionally, 54% of used car dealers reported that they currently do not stock electric cars due to a slowdown in demand and a decline in EV values over the past year.

The lack of infrastructure and the high initial costs of electric vehicles were cited as major barriers to widespread adoption by both consumers and dealers. Only 1% of car dealers said they plan to invest in charging points in the next six months. The Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on the government to provide incentives to drive up demand for electric cars, including reducing VAT on public charging and exempting EVs from expensive car supplements in vehicle excise duty. The SMMT also urged the government to confirm its proposed Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which would require manufacturers to sell an increasing share of EVs from 2024 to 2035.

However, a poll conducted on behalf of the SMMT showed that only 2% of UK motorists would buy an EV right now, and more than half are not planning to buy one until 2026 or later. The lack of incentives for consumer purchases of EVs in the UK was identified as a major factor contributing to the low demand. The SMMT called for targeted support, such as reducing VAT on public charging and the purchase of EVs, to make electric motoring more appealing to motorists. The organization also emphasized the need for a national plan to improve the charging network and ensure a fair transition to electric vehicles across the country.

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has been conducting an inquiry into the feasibility of the mass-market switch to EVs by 2030. The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) both expressed concerns about the charging infrastructure and the lack of stability from the government in terms of incentives and regulations. The NFDA highlighted the challenges hindering the decarbonization of private mobility and the mass adoption of electric vehicles, while the PRA called for more clarity on timeframes and realistic interim measures to gauge progress towards decarbonization.

FutureCar Staff