2030 or 2035: When will petrol and diesel cars be banned?

Electric vehicles are at the heart of the UK’s plans to transition to sustainable transport.

However, their initial cost – as well as a patchy charging infrastructure in many areas – has left many drivers reluctant to make the change.

To act as a catalyst for manufacturers, infrastructure planners, and consumers, the previous government introduced a timeline for phasing out new petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK.

There has been a great deal of debate about the ban, with the target date changing as policy shifted and adapted.

The General Election in 2024 brought in a new Labour government with a commitment to speeding up the transition to a sustainable economy.

It has promised to review the ban, creating confusion around the timeline.

With electric vehicle sales in the UK now making up around a quarter of all new car sales, there’s momentum behind the shift to electric.

When will petrol and diesel cars be banned in the UK, and what does it mean for drivers?

Are petrol and diesel cars being banned?

As part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, the UK is moving towards banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

This doesn’t mean that when the ban on new petrol and diesel cars is instituted, it then becomes illegal to drive your existing car.

It just means that you won’t be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car that’s been manufactured after the cut-off date.

However, it’s likely that existing petrol and diesel cars will be on the road and available to purchase secondhand for some time to come.

The phase-out is likely to take a number of years, and it’s likely there will be a small number of petrol and diesel cars on the UK’s roads many years after the ban has been introduced.

Not only that, it will be possible to buy a new petrol vehicle right up until the ban comes into force.

It’s conceivable that governments may introduce a complete ban on driving petrol and diesel cars in the UK at a yet-to-be-identified date, but right now that’s not being discussed.

It’s important to keep informed about any legislation changes to ensure that you’re not caught out.

Indeed, understanding when bans are introduced can inform your purchasing decisions in the short-term future.

When are petrol and diesel cars banned?

If you’re asking ‘when will diesel cars be banned in the UK? or ‘when will petrol cars be banned in the UK?’, then the shifting timelines can appear confusing.

This reflects the political debates taking place, and the discussions about the practicalities of the transition timeline.

But what was the original timeline and how has it changed over the coming years?

Here’s how the new petrol and diesel car ban has played out over the past few years:

Original timeline: Phase-out by 2040

In July 2017, Theresa May’s Conservative government announced that there would be a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040 as part of its ‘Road to Zero Strategy’. The plan was introduced as part of a broader push to meet the UK’s legally binding commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The move was designed to encourage investments in electric vehicle infrastructure and production.

Acceleration to 2030

In November 2020, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. This included a new timeline to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030. New hybrid vehicles that could drive a significant distance on electric power were to be allowed until 2035. The objective of accelerating the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles was intended to stimulate the green economy after the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. To support the transition, the government committed £2.8 billion to fund EV infrastructure, grants for electric vehicles, and investments in the development and manufacturing of batteries.

The shift to 2035

In 2023, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to concerns regarding infrastructure readiness, the cost of EVs, and the availability of manufacturers to meet consumer demand, by pushing back the deadline to 2035. While many motoring organisations welcomed this decision, some manufacturers expressed concern about the lack of certainty that changing the date produced.

When will petrol and diesel cars be banned under the new government’s plans?

The new Labour government was elected in July 2024 on a manifesto to speed up the green transition.

As part of this, it has been suggested that the government may reinstate the 2030 cut-off for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

However, so far at least, it has promised that only zero-emission vehicles will be sold after 2035.

Instead, the government has started a consultation to give vehicle manufacturers some input into how the transition is handled, and the timelines involved.

It now seems likely there will be flexibility in the 2030 date set out in the manifesto, with extra accommodation made for a range of hybrid vehicles.

Demand for electric vehicles currently not strong enough to hit the targets

The government has been warned that currently the consumer demand for electric vehicles is not strong enough to support the timeline.

People still have concerns about infrastructure, the cost of vehicles, and their reliability.

While some of these concerns are based on misinformation, others reflect legitimate worries about being able to charge vehicles, having the space at a property to charge a vehicle, and the overall cost of new electric vehicles.

It’s hoped that the consultation period will produce some new ideas and practical solutions to ensure that there is infrastructure in place across the UK, and that sufficient EVs can be manufactured to meet demand.

Manufacturer targets for new EVS

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets out a percentage of a manufacturer’s sales which are required to be zero emission vehicles.

In 2024, that figure was 22 per cent. Every non-zero emission vehicle sold above that target figure can be liable to a fine. A system of credits gives manufacturers some leeway around the target.

The consultation period will look at what hybrid vehicles will be available for sale alongside solely electric models from 2030 onward.

This should provide some clarity on whether self-charging, plug-in, or range-extended hybrid vehicles will still be available for sale up until 2034.

Can I still drive my petrol or diesel car after 2035?

No government has introduced a ban on driving petrol or diesel cars already on the road after 2035 or 2030.

In theory, you would be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car right up until midnight on the day the ban comes into effect and then keep that car on the road for a decade or longer.

What the ban is likely to do is initially increase the value of relatively new secondhand cars, while gradually increasing the supply of more affordable electric vehicles over time.

Will I still be able to buy petrol or diesel beyond 2030

None of the plans to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel cars have included any kind of restriction on the sale of petrol or diesel.

While the ban is likely to speed up the uptake of electric vehicles over the coming years, there’s still likely to be a significant number of petrol and diesel cars on the road for some time to come.

This means that petrol and diesel should still be freely available across the country. However, as the proportion of petrol and diesel vehicles decreases, the availability of fuel will also decrease over time.

More electric vehicles in use will ultimately increase the number of secondhand electric vehicles on the market, making them more affordable for a wider range of drivers over time.

Will classic cars be banned?

There are no plans to ban older petrol and diesel cars in 2030 or 2035.

You will still be able to use classic and vintage cars on the UK’s roads, for as long as they are roadworthy and parts are available.

Do I need to buy an electric car?

There is no immediate need for anyone to shift to an electric vehicle, but over time the supply of new and nearly new electric vehicles will reduce when the ban comes into effect.

If you buy a new petrol or diesel car over the coming five (or 10) years prior to the introduction of a ban, then you should be able to drive that vehicle for as long as it is roadworthy.

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