British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reiterated his commitment to setting a firm deadline for sales of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. This decision comes in response to pressure from automakers who have wanted more guidance on the transition to electric vehicles. The government is expected to announce a program for this transition in the coming weeks.
Although some members of the Tory party have called on Sunak to relax net zero emissions plans, this decision is likely to disappoint them. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister promised to address the changes in a “proportionate and pragmatic” manner.
As the House of Lords inquiry continues to look at the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the Department for Transport has stressed that current plans, which require 22% of new cars sold in 2024 to be electric, will remain largely unchanged.
Consumer confidence in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in the UK is a concern for the government, particularly as it targets 300,000 public charging points in the country by 2030. However, the latest figures from the Department for Transport show that there are currently just over 44,000 public charging points in the UK.
The government has worked closely with industry to ensure a smooth transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles. Companies investing heavily in electric vehicle production in the UK are keen to meet the 2030 deadline as it gives them certainty and a market to target.
Overall, the UK government’s commitment to set a 2030 deadline for sales of new petrol and diesel cars shows its commitment to the transition to cleaner transport and reducing carbon emissions.
