When will petrol cars be banned in the UK?

NEW petrol cars are set to be banned by the government, in an effort to reduce the UK's contribution to climate change.

Here, we explain more about why it is happening and when.

Will petrol cars be banned in the UK?

Plans are afoot to ban the sale of new petrol cars from 2030.

Former PM Boris Johnson announced the bringing forward of the ban from 2040 to 2035, while launching a UN climate summit, COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2019.

The then-Prime Minister declared: "As we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year, so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions."

The ban is part of the Government's plan to tackle air pollution, particularly at busy road junctions and "hotspots".

In 2017, it said that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were breaching legal pollution limits on four per cent of Britain's major roads, especially in London.

NO2 is released into the atmosphere when fuels are burned, for example petrol in a car engine.

Evidence shows that high levels damage our health, as the brown gas inflames the airways in our lungs, with asthmatics particularly affected.

Road transport is responsible for about 80 per cent of NO2 concentrations at the roadside.

As part of its "Road to Zero" measures, the Government wants to push the take-up of ultra low emission vehicles.

By enabling a "massive expansion of green infrastructure", it hopes to deliver cleaner air and a better environment, according to the Department for Transport.

Transport secretary at the time, Grant Shapps, hinted at the acceleration of the new petrol and diesel cars ban, to push drivers into buying electric models as soon as possible and help the UK "become a world leader in green technology".

What will happen to classic cars when petrol is banned?

Classic cars will still be allowed after the 2030 ban, as they already registered to drive on the road.

With the growth of the electric car market, it may make finding petrol harder to find at a service station.

Some may consider converting their classics to run on a different fuel, such as vegetable oil.

Can I still drive my diesel car after 2030?

After 2030, petrol vehicles will be unavailable to buy from new.

However, you will still be able to drive a petrol car following the ban in 2030 as the Government's push for zero emission vehicles only affects new cars registered after 2030.

The Government said that, subject to consultation, it planned to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2030, or earlier if a faster transition was possible.

It also said it would now include hybrids - which combine petrol and electric motors - in the proposals.

Petrol models currently account for 90 per cent of sales in Britain.

But some prospective buyers of greener models are worried about the limited availability of charging points, the range of certain models and the cost.

Ian Plummer, commercial director of Auto Trader, said: “The target is a stretch given where we are today – pure electric vehicles [EV] only accounted for 1.6 per cent of new car sales last year, and even fewer of used.

"That said, consumers do feel ready for the change.

"Appetite and interest is high as environmental concerns play a more influential role in people’s purchasing decisions, but price is still holding many back.

"EVs remain almost double the price of their ICE counterparts, so Government grants and incentives are essential to drive meaningful uptake of EVs.”

In February 2020, Ford boss Stuart Rowley voiced his criticism of the plan to ban hybrid cars saying "electric vehicle ownership for everyone is just not realistic".

There is currently no UK-wide scrappage scheme in place for petrol and diesel cars.

People will still be able to buy a second-hand petrol car in 2030 and drive one you currently own.

There could even be a boom in petrol or diesel sales in 2029, as motorists prepare to buy combustion engines for the final time.