HOW SHOULD THE GOV’T HANDLE ICE PHASE-OUT?
The UK government is seeking views and you can give yours. Here’s ours
E ver since 2020, when then prime minister Boris Johnson first outlined plans to ban the sale of new non-zeroemission cars from 2030 onwards, there has been more confusion than clarity.
Under various subsequent UK governments, the date has moved from 2030 to 2035 and back, and all the while there has been a plan to allow the sale of certain hybrids – although nobody has yet specified exactly which sort.
For car firms used to planning years in advance, it has been hugely problematic. For car buyers, this huge dollop of uncertainty has left many unsure what they should buy, or when.
But the current government has promised certainty, with a pledge to reinstate that 2030 date – and while some hybrids will be allowed on sale until 2035, there’s now finally a promise to specify details.
At the same time, the government is looking at refining some aspects of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires firms to sell an increasing percentage of EVs to avoid punitive fines. With the targets running ahead of consumer demand, it warped the market in 2024.