Petrol vehicles to be 'phased out' across UK within five years

Brand new petrol and diesel cars are set to be banned from 2030 with Labour committed to re-instating the rule. Labour had posted its ambition to revert back to 2030 in its manifesto and re-committed to the policy last Autumn. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed new combustion sales will stop by the end of the decade in a statement back in January.

Launching a new consultation on how the ban should be put together, Ms Alexander stressed the move would “restore clarity for manufacturers" and “give confidence to consumers”. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delayed the petrol and diesel car ban to 2035 to bring the UK in line with the European Union’s own timeline.

However, the move was attacked by Labour who suggested the Conservatives had “moved the goalposts".

Ms Alexander previously said: “No new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030. All new cars and vans will need to be 100% zero emission by 2035.

“The need to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels has never been clearer, and the transition to zero-emission vehicles will play a critical role in quickly reducing carbon emissions and improving our energy security.

The consultation on “phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030” ran from December 24, 2024 to February 18, 2025.

The survey asked for opinions on how the Government could best deliver on its commitment and help support the UK’s transition to cleaner vehicles.

However, officials stressed the review would also help officials assess the current position of the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate rules.

Ms Alexander previously said: “The consultation is an opportunity to consider stakeholders’ preferences on technology choices and the types of vehicles permitted between 2030 and 2035 alongside ZEVs.

“It commits to maintaining the trajectories in the ZEV mandate while considering how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working and what steps can be taken to support domestic manufacturing and cement the UK’s position as one of the major European markets for ZEVs.”

However, despite the ban on new petrol and diesel cars being just half a decade away, combustion cars are still the most popular on the road.

According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), more than one million brand-new petrol cars were registered last year.

In total, petrol and diesel vehicles made up just under 60% (58.5%) of the UK’s overall new car market share.