The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced the delay of the ban of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from 2030 to 2035.
Responses to the news have been mixed, with some feeling relieved for the additional breathing space before the ban, whilst others feel the postponing will have a negative effect on the introduction of much needed charging infrastructure to support the change.
The PM has stated the reason for the delay is to put the choice back into the public’s hands about when they make the switch to electric, and that there is still a way to go with getting the UK ready. He stated “I'm announcing today that we’re going to ease the transition to electric vehicles, you'll still be able to buy petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035.
“We're aligning our approach with countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada, Sweden, and US states such as California, New York and Massachusetts” he added.
It's unclear at the moment whether the delay will have an impact on the 2035 ban on hybrid vehicles, which was planned five years after the original date for the ban on new sales of fully ICE vehicles.
Sunak reiterated that the UK is still committed to reaching overall net zero carbon emissions by the initial 200 deadline, but in a “more proportionate way” that lines up with the demands of the public and small businesses.