Yesterday, at the launch of the UN’s Climate Summit (also known as COP26) Boris Johnson announced his plan to move forward the date that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars are banned.
As part of the government’s target to have zero carbon emissions by 2050, the ban was originally planned to be put into place in 2040 but has now moved to 2035. The UK was the first major economy to legally commit to a zero carbon emissions target.
The ban has also been expanded to include hybrid vehicles, which means that after 2035 the only vehicles you will be able to buy new are fully electric or hydrogen powered.
Understandably, there has been backlash against the decision to include hybrids in the ban, as many drivers have been switching from petrol and diesel engines to hybrids rather than to fully electric vehicles.
Hybrids are considered to be better for the environment than traditional petrol and diesel engines, as the electric motor means that they use fuel and produce fewer emissions. They can also be cheaper for manufacturers to make than fully electric vehicles, and this is passed onto customers in the purchase price or lease cost of the vehicle.
A lot of people choose to go for a hybrid rather than a fully electric vehicle as they don’t give drivers the same concerns over range anxiety or charging, as the internal combustion engine kicks in once the electric battery is depleted.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has criticised the inclusion of hybrids as they feel it now undermines the sale of all hybrid vehicles now.
Their chief executive, Mike Hawes, has said: “It’s extremely concerning that the government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue.”
He added: “A date without a plan will merely destroy value today.”
The SMMT want to the government to clarify what the future of the plug-in grant will be as the £3,500 subsidy that is currently offered is due to expire within the next 60 days.
Mr Hawes also wants the government to explain how it plans to “fulfil its ambitions in a sustainable way, one that safeguards industry and jobs, allows people from all income groups and regions to adapt and benefit, and, crucially, does not undermine sales of today’s low emission technologies, including popular hybrids, all of which are essential to deliver air quality and climate change goals now.”
Although there is still 15 years until the ban comes into place there are concerns now that instead of switching to hybrids some drivers will continue use older petrol and diesel cars, which is why the SMMT is worried about the value of hybrids being undermined.
Others are also concerned that the impact on the environment overall will also be worse, as if people don’t switch to hybrids their emissions will be higher.
The government’s ban has been moved forward due to advice from experts who were concerned that the previous 10-year gap between the end of non-electric vehicle sales and the zero emission deadline was not long enough for older non-electric models to have left the road.
Some people are worried about the selection of fully electric cars on the market and there not being a wide enough selection for driver to choose from.
AA President Edmund King believe the government’s new target will be a challenge to reach, saying: “We must question whether we will have a sufficient supply of a full cross-section of zero emissions vehicles in less than 15 years.”
However, if you look at what manufacturers are planning to release in the next few years you can see that a lot are planning to release more electric models that span from SUVs to compact city cars, providing a full selection across the market.
If you are looking to lease then you will only have the car for a few years so if you think a hybrid car would be better for you then there are still plenty of options on the market.
Just click here to see the electric and hybrid vehicles that we currently have available to lease.
Incredible points. Solid arguments. Keep up the great effort.