Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the ban on sales of all new petrol and diesel cars will be pushed back from 2030 to 2035.
Under the new plan, from 2035 only electric battery-powered cars and hybrids capable of travelling the longest distances will be able to be bought or leased new.
The government said that it could not impose ‘unacceptable costs’ linked to reducing emissions on British families.
The Prime Minister said the policy change was ‘pragmatic and proportionate’ in the face of a cost of living crisis.
The news has been garnered a mixed reception from industry experts.
Here at Select Car Leasing, our own view is that inconsistent messaging from the government has created unhelpful ‘confusion’ for both motorists and the industry in general. But the road ahead remains clear.
Mark Tongue, joint CEO and founder of Select, said "Our approach remains unchanged in light of the Prime Minister's announcement. Select Car Leasing is committed to a green, more ecologically-sound future, and we're in no doubt that electric vehicles (EVs) will play a crucial role in decarbonising our lives. We're also delighted to see more and more of our forward-thinking customers joining the electric revolution. As it stands, around 54% of the vehicles ordered through Select's 'Corporate' team now have a plug of some sort, being either fully electric or hybrid. That's much higher than the general industry average, which currently sits at around 23%, and we're proud to be leading from the front in this regard. It is, then, clear to see that there's still a real appetite for EVs in the leasing market, and we'll continue to strive to make EV motoring as affordable as possible. And if a traditionally-fuelled vehicle makes more sense for you, we have great deals on those cars and vans, too."
It's business as usual here at Select Car Leasing. We’ll continue to highlight the many benefits of electric vehicles, particularly how they can shave hundreds of pounds off your annual fuel bill. You can lease the well-received ORA Funky Cat EV with Select from just £222 per month*, which is similar in price to an affordable petrol Audi A3 hatchback.
Plug-in hybrids may play an important role in the coming months and years, as they could potentially act as a tempting middle ground between fully electric vehicles and traditionally-fuelled cars.
Right now, for example, we have a great special offer on the Volkswagen Golf e-Hybrid, which has a range of up to 40 miles using electricity alone and which can be yours from £339 per month*.
And if you’re not quite ready to make the jump to an electrified car, we’ve also got many efficient petrol and diesel vehicles to choose from. And remember that a sophisticated, modern, fuel-saving vehicle is likely to have far lower CO2 emissions than one that’s five, or ten, years old.
Take a look at our latest lease deals to find special offers on all different fuel types.
To give you the entire picture, here’s a snapshot of how the motoring industry responded to the PM’s statement:
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “The automotive industry’s commitment to a zero-emission new car and van market remains unchanged. Net Zero cannot be achieved without this sector’s decarbonisation. The Prime Minister has confirmed that a mandate to compel the sale of EVs – the single biggest mechanism to deliver Net Zero – will be published shortly, starting in January 2024. Manufacturers will continue to put innovative new models on the market but consumers need encouragement to buy more than ever. Today’s announcement must be backed up with a package of attractive incentives and measures to accelerate charging infrastructure to give consumers the confidence to switch. Carrots move markets faster than sticks.”
Ford
Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair, said: “Three years ago the government announced the UK’s transition to electric new car and van sales from 2030. The auto industry is investing to meet that challenge. Ford has announced a global $50 billion commitment to electrification, launching nine electric vehicles by 2025. The range is supported by £430 million invested in Ford’s UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 timeframe. This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future. Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three. We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.”
Jaguar Land Rover
A spokesperson said: “The announcement by the Government on the revised end date for the sale of petrol and diesel cars in the UK is pragmatic and brings the UK in line with other nations, which we welcome.”
INEOS Automotive
Lynn Calder, CEO, INEOS Automotive, said: “2035 is a more realistic target for consumers to switch to net zero vehicles and will allow the industry to meet the challenge, but achieving this target is made harder by the current singular focus on EVs as there is a real risk that that we will fail and that it will be more expensive for consumers, with the whole industry competing for finite resources such as the lithium crucial for batteries. EVs are an important part of the mix, but we believe betting only on one technology will limit options and stifle innovation. There is a mix of solutions for the wide scale energy transition required to achieve net zero, and with cars it will be the same. We need support for other technologies such as hydrogen and alternative fuels in the same way these alternatives are being supported by other countries. We will launch an all-electric 4X4 in 2026 but have also invested in the development of a fuel cell hydrogen demonstrator version of the Grenadier which proves that the technology is capable. So, we need support from policy makers to help provide the infrastructure for the next generation of hydrogen vehicles as well as for EVs.”
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 21/09/23.
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