2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles

Understanding the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles

The Government have confirmed a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will come into place from 2035.

The original ban had been put in place back in 2020 during Boris Johnson’s reign as Prime Minister and it was due to come into effect in 2030.

However, in an attempt to weaken some of the Government’s green policies to allow better protection for suffering families during the cost-of-living crisis, Sunak has made several controversial changes, including delaying the 2030 deadline.

Sunak claims that the decision was not one taken lightly, but it will allow more businesses additional time to prepare for their transition to electric vehicles.

Why has the 2035 ban been put in place?

The ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles is one of a number of green policies put in place by the Government in an attempt to support their 2050 Net Zero targets.

It is part of an ambitious plan that includes a number of policies designed to decarbonise the UK economy, with multiple industries affected.

How the 2030 ban delay impacts hybrids

While combustion engine vehicles will be banned from 2035, hybrid vehicles that can ‘drive a significant distance with no carbon emissions coming from the tailpipe’ are expected to remain on sale to buy or lease until 2040.

Further confirmation from the Government about the future of hybrids is expected to be confirmed in the near future, along with clarification on what they deem to be a ‘significant distance’.

Battery concerns and longevity is among the biggest barriers to entry for perspective EV drivers. However, an electric car lease negates all that worry. A standard manufacturer battery warranty is around eight years, but the most common lease deals run for between 24 and 48 months, meaning you’ll be covered throughout your term.

What will happen to petrol and diesel cars in 2035?

Petrol and diesel vehicles will still be freely driven from 2035 and beyond, but you won’t be able to buy or lease a brand new one.

The ramifications of the 2035 ban could see values of used petrol and diesel cars decrease as demand for them lowers. However, as the number of combustion engine vehicles on our roads decrease in the decades to follow, some values could also increase.

There could also be significant changes to the price of fuel as demand lowers, if more drivers are transitioning to electric cars.

When is the right time to make the change to electric?

While the Government have pushed the delay further down the road, there are still a number of fantastic opportunities to make the switch today.

Many leading manufacturers have committed to long-term electrification processes, with the EV sector becoming more and more competitive with every passing day.

Historic German brands like BMW and Mercedes have several impressive models in their BMW i and Mercedes EQ ranges, while the rise of Chinese manufactures like BYD and GWM ORA add more affordable options to the UK market, as well as the resurgence of SAIC-owned MG.

With many affordable electric cars comfortably offering over 200 miles of real-world range, there is an increasing number of compelling options on the market for drivers who may have previously suffered with range anxiety.

The second biggest consideration alongside range is your ability to charge an electric car regularly.

If you have the ability to install an EV charger at your home, it becomes much more convenient to incorporate an electric vehicle into your daily life.

However, with the UK charging infrastructure growing every month, there is an increasing number of public chargers available, as well as businesses considering installing chargers on site for staff, or incentivising uptake with salary sacrifice schemes.

What grants are available to increase EV uptake?

The Government remains committed to incentivising EV uptake among the general public and there are two grants that can still support you.

The EV Charge Point grant will subside up to 75% of the cost of installing a charger at a domestic property in the UK.

Meanwhile if you're a business customer hoping to encourage members of staff into more efficient vehicles, the Workplace Charging grant supports with the costs of the purchasing and installing chargers at your business premises.