The UK has decided to postpone the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed this This measure will be postponed for five years until 2035 (previously set to 2030). The aim is to reduce the financial burden on Britons.
Sunak has pointed out that it should be consumers who make the decision to switch to electric cars, not the government forcing them to do so. And according to the UK’s supreme leader: “The acquisition costs are still high especially for families who have difficulty meeting living expenses.
The industry is showing its frustration at the announcement
Sunak justified the measure with this The British economy “needs more time” to prepare for this and not rely on imports from countries like China that are “carbon intensive and heavily subsidized.”
“We align our approach with that of countries such as Germany, France and Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada. Sweden and US states like California, New York and Massachusetts, and we remain ahead of the rest of America and other countries like New Zealand,” he concluded.
The decision to tone down former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ambitious 2020 targets has led to a loosening of tensions Negative reaction from vehicle manufacturers who have already invested billions in accelerating their electrification plans to meet the 2030 target.
Lisa Brankin, President of Ford UK, has noted that the automotive industry “has invested in meeting this challenge.” A 180-degree turnaround by the Prime Minister undermines this aim.” Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. Easing them in 2030 would undermine all three,” Brankin said.
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Like Ford, Volkswagen has shown his frustration with Sunak’s announcement “We urgently need a clear and reliable regulatory framework that creates security in the market and trust among consumers,” he said in a statement.
For its part, Stellantis, the parent company of Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Peugeot and Opel, among others, has looked into this Governments must provide clarity on “important laws”. especially in environmental issues that affect society as a whole.
