Ministers are reconsidering a total ban on the sale of new petrol-powered cars, potentially allowing hybrid vehicles to remain on the market until 2035.
Labour’s election manifesto initially promised to end the sale of “new cars with internal combustion engines” by 2030 to support the goal of achieving net zero emissions. This language implied that new hybrids, like Nissan’s popular Qashqai—which combines a petrol or diesel engine with a battery—would also be banned.
However, due to growing reluctance among drivers to switch to electric vehicles, concerns about range, resale value, and charging infrastructure, along with lobbying from the automotive industry, the Government is now expected to clarify that hybrids can continue to be sold for an additional five years after the ban on “pure” petrol and diesel cars.
On Friday, Helen Whately, the Tory shadow transport secretary, argued that Labour “either didn’t know what they were committing to” during the election campaign “or have now realised it isn’t possible.”
The Government’s shift is likely to be welcomed by motorists, who have shown a greater willingness to adopt hybrids over electric cars. Last week, production of electric Fiat 500s was halted in Europe due to a lack of orders, and recently, manufacturers like Volvo and Toyota have announced plans to extend hybrid production as demand for electric vehicles cools.
However, the decision to allow 20% of new car sales to be hybrids until 2035 is expected to spark tension with environmental campaigners who criticize hybrids for their emissions. Greenpeace has previously called hybrids the car industry’s “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Conservative frontbencher Helen Whately stated, “This new plan is the worst of both worlds. It doesn’t significantly reduce emissions and is moving too quickly for businesses and motorists. Labour promised to provide businesses with certainty while in opposition, but they are already backtracking. This indecision creates a major challenge for manufacturers and ultimately hampers economic growth.”
On Saturday, a Labour source maintained that their policy always allowed for the continued sale of some hybrids.
A government spokesperson explained, “This government’s policy has always been to revert to the original 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new vehicles with pure internal combustion engines. The initial phase-out plan included provisions for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 2035. We will provide more details on this soon.”
Previously, Labour’s policy was ambiguous, which left car manufacturers unsure whether hybrids would also be banned. In July, Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), expressed concerns that the 2030 ban could mean “a complete end of everything that has a tailpipe.”
Under current plans, the Government intends to keep the rules introduced by the Conservatives that compel manufacturers to increase electric car sales. These regulations, known as the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, require 22% of cars sold by manufacturers to be electric starting this year, gradually increasing to 80% by 2030.
The Government’s revised plans were revealed this week at a meeting of car industry executives in Parliament, where a senior civil servant from the Department for Transport mentioned that ministers are aiming to consult on the changes “as soon as possible.”
A senior government official told the gathering, “This government is committed to moving back to a phase-out date for petrol and diesel cars of 2030. However, this does not mean the [ZEV] mandate will require 100% EVs by 2030. To clarify, the target remains at 80% in 2030. This means there will need to be some form of hybridization for the remaining 20%.”
It is still unclear which types of hybrids will be allowed for sale in the final five years up to 2035. This will be determined as part of the consultation process, according to The Telegraph.
Hybrids vary from “mild” versions, which use small batteries to support a petrol or diesel engine, to plug-in hybrids that have larger batteries capable of powering a car for short distances before switching to a petrol engine.
The same official noted that the consultation would address this ambiguity. “What this market really needs is certainty and stability, not more uncertainty.”
