In 2020, the UK Government announced that it would ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. However, in September 2023, it decided to postpone this ban until 2035.
Are you wondering whether you should sell your petrol car before the ban? In this guide, we’ll tell you all you need to know about the ban, what the five-year delay means for you - and what the automotive industry thinks about the decision.
Get a free valuation
Are petrol and diesel cars going to be banned?
With the ban inching ever closer, you may be unsure whether to buy a diesel car.
It’s worth bearing in mind that according to the current plans, the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2035. However, you’ll still be able to buy and sell used models after the ban takes effect.
The ban is part of the Government’s plan to tackle vehicle emissions, make transport fully electric - and achieve its longer-term net-zero target by 2050.
While these goals haven’t changed, the Government has pushed the ban back by five years because:
-
Electric vehicles (EVs) are still too expensive for many families and individuals to buy – especially during the present cost of living crisis.
-
Many businesses still feel that EVs are not practical for their needs.
-
The charging infrastructure needed for a fully electrified road network is not yet in place.
The extra five years will give the Government time to address all these factors and smooth the transition to EVs. The delay also brings the UK in line with other countries, including Germany, France, Sweden and Canada, which all have 2035 deadlines for banning petrol and diesel vehicles.
Although the overall ban has been delayed by five years, the Government has put a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate in place, which means the majority of petrol and diesel vehicles must be phased out by 2030.
Key details of the ban
After 2035, you’ll no longer be able to buy new petrol, diesel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles. The ban will cover vans as well as cars.
The Government is still consulting on motorbikes and scooters. Even new hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be banned, although the Government has previously said these could be sold up until 2040. The only new vehicles you’ll be able to buy will be fully electric vehicles.
Other countries, including some in the EU, are granting certain exemptions such as specialist and emergency vehicles, those made by manufacturers producing less than 1,000 vehicles a year, and those powered by eFuels.
However, the full terms of the UK’s ban have not yet been published, so we don’t know which, if any of these exemptions will apply.
The impact of a delayed petrol and diesel ban
The five-year delay has garnered mixed reactions from car manufacturers. Some are seeing it as a positive step, as they now have more time to develop better EVs and bigger ranges. Others are frustrated because they’ve already started working towards a complete transition to EVs by 2030, including significant financial investment - and their businesses have now been completely disrupted.
Others in the industry believe the postponement will provide much-needed breathing space for the Government, allowing it to focus on its promise to make the necessary improvements to public EV infrastructure.
However, many are concerned about the effect the delay will have on the general public. For example, many drivers have shown interest in EV adoption recently, but now that the ban has been postponed, this may seem less appealing.
Some drivers may now want to wait and see what will be on offer in 2035 before buying their first EV or selling their existing petrol or diesel car.
If people hold back on buying EVs because the ban has been delayed, they may well decide to buy a petrol or diesel car in the meantime, which would somewhat dilute the impact of the ban.
Can you still drive diesel and petrol cars after 2035?
Yes, while you can’t buy new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars after 2035, you can still buy used models. You can also continue to drive your non-EV after the ban comes in, as it will only apply to new vehicles.
You’ll still be able to buy diesel and petrol fuel. However, it’s worth remembering that fossil fuel prices may rise sharply after 2035. Diesel cars may be the most expensive to run, as diesel is more expensive than petrol.
Clean Air Zones (CAZs) are likely to be introduced in more towns and cities, which could further increase ownership costs for many non-EV drivers.
The future of EVs
By 2035, it’s likely that the UK’s roads will be transformed. The Government has already heavily invested in EV infrastructure – and is working towards rolling out enough reliable charging infrastructure to serve a fully electric road network.
The five-year delay will also allow car manufacturers to improve their EV offerings and provide consumers with more choice.
The combination of more reliable EVs, improved infrastructure – and a petrol and diesel ban should encourage more drivers to choose EVs over second-hand fossil fuel vehicles from 2035. This should also help the Government to achieve its 2050 net-zero target.