Manufacturers to Stick with Plans Despite Expected Petrol and Diesel Car Ban

author: FutureCar Staff    

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to announce that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be postponed to 2035. This comes after UK car and van manufacturers have stated that they will not change their plans for electric cars, despite the expected announcement.

The government had previously announced that the ban on new petrol and diesel cars would take effect in 2030, with certain hybrid cars allowed until 2035. However, Sunak's announcement on Friday is expected to delay certain climate change policies, including the ban on petrol and diesel cars.

Many car manufacturers have already committed to transitioning to fully zero-emissions cars well ahead of the 2035 deadline and have stated that they will not change their plans. For example, Mini, which manufactures its cars in Oxford, has announced that it will become a purely electric brand globally by 2030 and will not deviate from this plan.

Similarly, Stellantis, which oversees brands such as Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroen, has two van production facilities in the UK. The company has stated that it remains committed to achieving 100% zero-emission car and van sales in the UK and Europe by 2030, and it will transition to electric sales ahead of current legislation.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), one of the largest car makers in the UK, has committed to becoming a pure-electric brand from 2025. The company has three plants in the UK and has stated that its plans are on track.

Ford, although no longer manufacturing cars in the UK, has a diesel engine factory in Dagenham and a plant that produces transmissions in Halewood. Ford will start producing electric vehicle components from 2024. Ford's UK chair, Lisa Brankin, has expressed concerns that moving the 2030 deadline undermines previous commitments and hampers the industry's transformation.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents the UK automotive industry, has also voiced its concerns about mixed messaging. The SMMT believes that confusion and uncertainty will hold consumers back from making the switch to electric vehicles and emphasizes the need for a clear and consistent message from the government.

Overall, the car and van manufacturers are expressing their commitment to transitioning to electric vehicles and are urging the government to provide clarity and consistency in its policies to support this transition.

FutureCar Staff