When will petrol cars be banned in the UK? – The Irish sun

NEW petrol cars to be banned by government in a bid to reduce Britain’s contribution to climate change.

Here we explain more about why it happens and when.

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Will petrol cars be banned in the UK?

From 2030, the sale of new petrol engines will be banned.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced bringing the ban forward from 2040 to 2035 while launching a UN climate summit, the COP26 climate summit, in Glasgow in November 2019.

The then Prime Minister stated: “As we lay out our plans to reach our ambitious net-zero target for 2050 this year, we will urge others to join us and pledge net-zero emissions.”

The ban is part of the government’s plan to tackle air pollution, particularly at busy road junctions and “hotspots”.

In 2017, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels on four per cent of Britain’s main roads, particularly in London, were reported to have exceeded legal pollution limits.

NO2 is released into the atmosphere when fuels are burned, for example gasoline in a car engine.

Evidence shows that high levels are harmful to our health as the brown gas inflames the airways in our lungs, with asthmatics being particularly affected.

Road traffic is responsible for around 80 percent of roadside NO2 concentrations.

As part of its “Road to Zero” measures, the government intends to promote the introduction of extremely low-emission vehicles.

According to the Ministry of Transport, by enabling a “massive expansion of green infrastructure”, one hopes to ensure cleaner air and a better environment.

Then Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hinted at accelerating the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to urge drivers to buy electric models as soon as possible and help the UK “become a world leader in green technology”.

What will happen to classic cars if petrol is banned?

Vintage cars will still be registered after the 2030 driving ban because they are already road legal.

As the electric car market grows, it can become harder to find gas at a gas station.

Some may think about converting their classic cars to another fuel, such as vegetable oil.

Can I still drive my diesel car after 2030?

After 2030, petrol vehicles will no longer be available to buy new.

However, you can still drive a petrol car after the 2030 ban, as the government’s push for zero-emission vehicles will only affect new cars registered after 2030.

The government said that, subject to consultation, it plans to bring forward the end of sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2030 or earlier if a faster transition is possible.

It also said it would now include hybrids – which combine petrol and electric engines – in the proposals.

Petrol models currently account for 90 per cent of UK sales.

However, some prospects for greener models are concerned about the limited availability of charging points, the range of certain models and the cost.

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director of Auto Trader, said: “The goal is a route where we are today – pure electric vehicles [EV] accounted for only 1.6 percent of new car sales last year, and even less for used cars.

“Nevertheless, consumers feel ready for change.

“Appetite and interest are high as environmental concerns play a more influential role in people’s purchasing decisions, but price is still holding many back.

“EVs remain nearly twice as expensive as their ICE counterparts, so government grants and incentives are essential to drive meaningful EV adoption.”

In February 2020, Ford CEO Stuart Rowley expressed his criticism of the planned hybrid car ban, saying: “Owning electric vehicles for everyone just isn’t realistic”.

There is currently no British vehicle scrapping scheme for petrol and diesel vehicles.

People will still be able to buy and drive a used petrol car in 2030 that they currently own.

2029 could even see a boom in petrol or diesel sales as motorists prepare to buy internal combustion engines for the last time.