Labour has confirmed when petrol and diesel cars will stop being sold in the UK as they confirm plans to bring forward a ban on combustion models.
In a written statement to Parliament published on Monday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stressed that “no new petrol and diesel cars will be sold after 2030”.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of State confirmed that all new cars and vans must be 100% zero-emission by 2035.
In a new update, Ms Alexander also criticised the Conservatives for “moving the goalposts” last Autumn.
However, Labour had made it a manifesto pledge to reinstate the 2030 cut-off and is putting policies in place to do so just months after taking office.
In a new statement, Heidi Alexander said: “The previous government caused significant harm to the industry by moving goalposts on phase out dates, creating doubt in the minds of investors and boardrooms and putting at risk the billions of pounds of committed investment in the automotive sector and in the chargepoint sector.
“Our plans will restore clarity for manufacturers, provide renewed confidence for charging infrastructure investors and give confidence to consumers considering making the switch.
“No new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030. All new cars and vans will need to be 100% zero emission by 2035.”
Just before Christmas, the Government launched a consultation seeking views from industry over how officials can help end the sale of combustion cars by 2030.
The survey is asking experts to consider what options are available to end the sale of new cars and outline the possible requirements for non-zero emission vans sold between 2030 to 2035.
How new rules will work for small-volume manufacturers will also be considered as part of the new survey.
The consultation is set to end on February 18 with any recommendations likely to be published soon after.
Ms Alexander added: “This consultation marks a new phase of collaboration between the government and the automotive and charging sectors as we support and work together with industry to grasp the opportunities of this ambitious and transformative shift – ensuring the prosperity and security of our nation, with higher growth, better jobs, and cheaper bills.
“This transformation is a challenge we can meet by working together.
“The consultation is an opportunity to consider stakeholders’ preferences on technology choices and the types of vehicles permitted between 2030 and 2035 alongside ZEVs.”
