Under proposals being considered by ministers to ease rules encouraging a shift to fully electric cars, hybrid vehicles could remain on sale in the UK until 2035.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced this week that the Government will launch a “fast-track” consultation on sales targets for manufacturers under the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. This mandate penalizes companies for failing to meet electric vehicle sales quotas.
Labour’s election manifesto pledged to ban the sale of “new cars with internal combustion engines” by 2030 as part of its net-zero commitments. This wording implied that hybrids, such as the popular Nissan Qashqai, which combines a petrol or diesel engine with a battery, would be included in the ban.
However, Mr. Reynolds clarified in Parliament that the review would prioritize the transition to “purely” electric vehicles by 2030. Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffiths criticized this as a “subtle change” with “significant consequences.”
The consultation will revisit rules established by the previous Conservative government that require manufacturers to progressively increase the proportion of electric vehicles sold. These regulations mandate that 22% of new cars sold in 2024 must be electric, rising to 80% by 2030.
Reports first emerged in September that ministers were considering delaying a total ban on new petrol-powered cars, allowing hybrids to remain available until 2035. The Financial Times has since confirmed these plans are under review.
