Consultation launched to restore 2030 ICE ban

The Government has launched a new consultation to finalise its plans to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The two-part consultation will run for just eight weeks. It seeks views from industry on how to deliver on the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success.

A key part of the consultation is to define which electrified (hybrid) powertrain technologies will be permitted for sale between 2030 and 2035.

The consultation also proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. The mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030.

To support manufacturers in the transition, the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers.

Earlier this month, the fleet industry outlined its need for a speedy resolution to a consultation on the ZEV mandate with it impacting the availability of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. 

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 billion to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.

“Yet over the last few years, our automotive industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This Government will change that.

“Drivers are already embracing EVs faster than ever, with one in four new cars sold in November electric. Today's measures will help us capitalise on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower, and rebuild Britain.”

The key points in the consultation are:  

• Restoring the phase out date for the sale of new cars that rely solely on internal combustion engines to 2030
• Seeking views on which cars can be sold alongside zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) from 2030 (e.g. full hybrids, plug-in hybrids).
• The approach for vans and small volume manufacturers
• Demand-side support measures that may be needed to support the transition. 
• Technical measures to amend the ZEV Mandate without compromising the overall trajectory, certainty, or carbon savings of the regulations
• Whether the current time-limited ZEV Mandate flexibilities are sufficient.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “The AA supported the original zero emission new cars sales deadline of 2030 as ‘challenging but ambitious’ and the results of this consultation should define the firm route to zero emissions.

“Understandably drivers have been ‘hesitant not hostile’ about the transition but more clarity on hybrids, vans and planning support for accelerated charging infrastructure should give them more certainty. Climate change is a critical global challenge and decarbonising transport is essential.” 

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, added: “The automotive industry welcomes government’s review of both the end of sale date for cars powered solely by petrol or diesel, and possible changes to the flexibilities around the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.

“These are both critical issues for an industry that is facing significant challenges globally as it tries to decarbonise ahead of natural market demand.

“Aside from the billions invested in new technologies and products, it has cost manufacturers in excess of £4 billion in discounting in the UK this year alone. This is unsustainable and, with the 2025 market looking under even greater pressure, it is imperative we get an urgent resolution, with a clear intent to adapt the regulation to support delivery, backed by bold incentives to stimulate demand. Such action will support not only the industry, but also deliver for the economy, consumer, government and the environment.”

With more drivers switching to electric vehicles, the UK government has also unveiled a series of measures today to continue to improve charging infrastructure and tackle barriers to EV take-up and drive forward this transition.

The new measures include a separate consultation on whether it can reduce barriers to roll out more zero emission vans – crucial to help decarbonise the freight and delivery sectors more quickly.

The Government will change planning legislation to provide additional flexibility in England through permitted development rights when installing off-street electric vehicle chargepoints.

It will also amend legislation to allow chargepoint installers to use street works permits instead of licences to make it easier and quicker to install chargers, and to apply for these online using the DfT’s Street Manager digital service for planning and managing works.

The results of a review will be published on how to improve grid connections for chargepoints, increasing cohesion, cooperation and communication across the industry. Local councils will continue to be supported in their charging projects with resource and new guidance.

Toby Poston, incoming BVRLA chief executive, said: “It has been a tough year for automotive industry, which has spent billions of pounds underpinning the ZEV transition - funding huge discounts on new cars and taking a massive hit on used vehicle depreciation.    

“This consultation gives us a valuable opportunity to realign the aims of the mandate with the realities being seen in the market today.  

“Today’s announcement provides some festive cheer with the prospect of more certainty on hybrid vehicles, potential extra-flexibilities for OEMs struggling to hit the targets and much-needed action on charging infrastructure installation and ZEV van pain-points.  

 “The current Phase-out and ZEV Mandate targets are at major risk unless the government delivers more support and incentives to drive demand. Money is tight, but the Labour Government, which inherited these plans, is open to ideas.”