This is part of Boris Johnson’s broader package of green initiatives.
Back in February, the plan was ban sales in 2035 from 2040.
Fewer than 7% of all new car sales in the UK are EVs today.
The UK is only one of many countries, territories, and states that have decided to impose deadlines on new petrol- or diesel-power vehicles. This poses numerous challenges for the industry as well as consumers who may still be confused about the meaning and differences between the different types of electrified vehicles, from full EVs to hybrids.
One major issue plaguing the industry and discouraging consumers to adopt electric vehicles is the still limited charging infrastructure – this is a worldwide issue. The UK government has pledged £500m of funding to help finance new grid connections.
Volkswagen ID.3 | Photo: Volkswagen
The main limiting factor is automakers’ ability to actually build this many EVs. Honda UK, as reported by the Financial Times, said that said measures relying almost solely on battery cars within 15 years were “too narrow”. They added that “there are technological and resource constraints that will be more difficult to overcome and which means that battery-electric cannot replace internal combustion engines in all segments”.
Currently, one in four vehicles sold in the UK is equipped with some form of hybrid technology. While purely petrol- or diesel-powered new vehicle sales should be banned from 2030, hybrids will receive an exemption until 2035. The car industry is arguing that this is a good way to familiarize consumers with battery technologies.
