2030 Ban on Petrol and Diesel Cars

What is changing?

All new petrol and diesel cars and vans are set to be banned from sale in the UK in 2030. New hybrids and plug-in hybrids will be available until 2035, on the condition they are capable of covering a significant distance* in zero-emission mode.

After 2030, the only new cars and vans that can be sold will be pure electric, plus any hydrogen-powered cars that may exist at that point.

The EU has announced its plan to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035, although smaller manufacturers are set to be given an exemption and the EU plans to provide further exemptions for internal combustion engine cars powered exclusively by efuels. While there were rumours that the UK Government might entertain a similar exemption for cars running on synthetic efuels, confirmation has since come that it has no plans to do so.

What do you need to do?

Essentially, nothing, at the moment. Should you wish to buy a new petrol or diesel car, you will have to do so before the deadline in 2030. If you lease a new car, this will affect availability after the 2030 deadline, so it’s worth considering making the switch to a hybrid or electric car at this time. As of now, this is more guidance and information, rather than a need to make a change.

What about used cars?

Second-hand cars, whether petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV, will be unaffected by the ban and will still be available to buy in the UK.

*the government hasn’t provided a definition for this phrase yet.