Jaguar, Toyota and motorists welcome Rishi Sunak’s delay of ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035
Jaguar, Toyota and motorists welcome Rishi Sunak’s delay of ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035
- Rishi Sunak emphasized that the used market should continue to flourish
The five-year delay in banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars is a major victory for the “Rethink The 2030 Petrol Car Ban” mail campaign.
The ban will now come into force from 2035 and Rishi Sunak stressed that the used petrol and diesel market should continue to thrive.
The decision to bring the UK into line with EU deadlines was welcomed by some car manufacturers, drivers’ groups and small businesses.
There was a positive response from Jaguar Land Rover, which employs 30,000 people at its UK factories and has committed £15 billion to electric vehicle production over the next five years.
It said: “The Government’s announcement of the revised end date for sales of petrol and diesel cars in the UK is pragmatic and brings the UK in line with other nations, which we welcome.”
There was a positive response from Jaguar Land Rover, which employs 30,000 people at its UK factories and has committed £15 billion to electric vehicle production over the next five years. Pictured: Rishi Sunak shakes hands with staff during a visit to Jaguar Land Rover in Warwickshire
Toyota, which has plants in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and Deeside, North Wales, followed Jaguar Land Rover in adopting the “pragmatic move”.
Toyota, which has plants in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and Deeside, North Wales, followed Jaguar Land Rover in taking the “pragmatic step” and said the announcement gave the industry the “clarity” it was demanding.
FairFuelUK, the drivers’ initiative, also welcomed the delay. Founder Howard Cox said: “I’m pleased that common sense has prevailed and the Prime Minister has listened to the overwhelming majority of people, FairFuelUK and the Mail.”
“Sunak’s admission that the ban in 2030 would harm the economy and his voters and have only a negligible impact on saving the planet is very pragmatic and welcome indeed.”
Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses said that while some businesses would be disappointed, smaller businesses would feel some relief. “Small businesses have significant concerns about the availability of suitable vehicles, whether new or used,” she said. “The charging infrastructure is also not where it needs to be to ensure that no company is left behind.”
However, some manufacturers argued that the delay had created uncertainty over their electric car ambitions. Lisa Brankin, Ford’s chief executive, said: “Our business needs three things from the UK government – ambition, commitment and consistency. “Easing the lockdown by 2030 would undermine all three.”
Ford has already invested £430 million to prepare its UK factories for electric car production.
Ian Plummer, a former Renault and Volkswagen executive and commercial director at online marketplace AutoTrader, said: “This U-turn will cause a major headache for manufacturers crying out for clarity and consistency.” And it will be for the vast majority of motorists If you haven’t bought an electric car yet, you’re unlikely to make the switch.”
Mike Hawes, of the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders, said the regression was “incredibly confusing” for consumers.
The Daily Mail began campaigning for a rethink of the 2030 ban after the cost of insuring an electric car rose by 60 per cent this year and charges on some road junctions rose by 20 per cent. There are also broader concerns that the UK does not have the appropriate charging infrastructure.