Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has confirmed the Government's commitment to phase out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, whilst allowing hybrid vehicles to remain on sale until 2035.
The announcement reinstates the Labour manifesto pledge on the transition to cleaner vehicles.
Speaking to GB News, Greenwood said: "What we're setting out today is our plan to give the British car industry certainty, stability and confidence."
She explained that from 2030 to 2035, manufacturers will be permitted to continue selling hybrid vehicles, including full hybrids like the Toyota Prius and plug-in models.
The policy aims to provide a smoother transition for the automotive industry whilst maintaining progress towards net zero goals.
Greenwood emphasised that the plan includes "extra flexibilities" for manufacturers to help them adapt to the changing market.The minister confirmed that by 2035, all new vehicles will need to be zero emission, which she noted would "probably" be battery electric.
The minister outlined specific provisions for vans, stating that petrol, diesel or hybrid vans can continue to be sold until 2035, provided carbon emissions are decreasing.
"For vans, you'll be able to continue to buy vans which are either petrol, diesel or hybrid, through to 2035, as long as the carbon emissions are coming down," Greenwood told GB News.
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She highlighted the Government had consulted extensively with industry stakeholders before finalising these measures.
"We launched a consultation just before Christmas that closed in February. We've been talking to industry intensively over recent months about the flexibilities that they need," she said.
Greenwood stressed that the ultimate goal remains reducing carbon emissions, with the hybrid allowance serving as a stepping stone.
"If they're selling more of those hybrid vehicles, they're cutting carbon emissions. That's the really important thing," she added.
Greenwood firmly rejected suggestions the Government is weakening its environmental commitments.
"No, we're absolutely not relaxing our commitment to getting to net zero. In fact, we're restating it," she insisted.
The minister emphasised that the policy aligns with Labour's manifesto pledge to end pure petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.
She described the approach as "making sure that we give our British car industry the opportunity to make the change to upgrade to electric vehicles in a considered way."
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The announcement reinstates the Labour manifesto pledge on the transition to cleaner vehicles.
Speaking to GB News, Greenwood said: "What we're setting out today is our plan to give the British car industry certainty, stability and confidence."
She explained that from 2030 to 2035, manufacturers will be permitted to continue selling hybrid vehicles, including full hybrids like the Toyota Prius and plug-in models.
The policy aims to provide a smoother transition for the automotive industry whilst maintaining progress towards net zero goals.
Greenwood emphasised that the plan includes "extra flexibilities" for manufacturers to help them adapt to the changing market.The minister confirmed that by 2035, all new vehicles will need to be zero emission, which she noted would "probably" be battery electric.
The minister outlined specific provisions for vans, stating that petrol, diesel or hybrid vans can continue to be sold until 2035, provided carbon emissions are decreasing.
"For vans, you'll be able to continue to buy vans which are either petrol, diesel or hybrid, through to 2035, as long as the carbon emissions are coming down," Greenwood told GB News.
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She highlighted the Government had consulted extensively with industry stakeholders before finalising these measures.
"We launched a consultation just before Christmas that closed in February. We've been talking to industry intensively over recent months about the flexibilities that they need," she said.
Greenwood stressed that the ultimate goal remains reducing carbon emissions, with the hybrid allowance serving as a stepping stone.
"If they're selling more of those hybrid vehicles, they're cutting carbon emissions. That's the really important thing," she added.
Greenwood firmly rejected suggestions the Government is weakening its environmental commitments.
"No, we're absolutely not relaxing our commitment to getting to net zero. In fact, we're restating it," she insisted.
The minister emphasised that the policy aligns with Labour's manifesto pledge to end pure petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.
She described the approach as "making sure that we give our British car industry the opportunity to make the change to upgrade to electric vehicles in a considered way."
Find Out More...