Sunak Delays Petrol & Diesel Car Ban to 2035
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pushed back the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by five years. Originally set for 2030, the ban will now kick in from 2035, giving drivers more time to buy traditional combustion engine vehicles.
Sunak revealed the plans at a press conference, confirming that after 2035, second-hand petrol and diesel cars can still be sold. This move aligns the UK with European giants like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, as well as US states such as California and Massachusetts, which have similar deadlines.
Electric Cars to Dominate by 2030, Says Sunak
Despite the delay, Sunak is confident electric cars will rule UK roads soon. “By 2030, the vast majority of cars on our roads will be electric,” he said, pointing to rapid tech improvements driving the shift towards cleaner vehicles.
Heat Pump Transition Gets a Breather
The PM also eased pressure on families regarding heat pumps. Households now have until 2035 to switch from gas boilers, with the change only mandatory when replacing an old boiler. A new exemption protects the poorest families from costly upgrades during this transition period.
Net-Zero Ambitions, Innovation, and Backlash
Sunak reaffirmed the UK’s target to hit net-zero emissions by 2050, stressing the need to win public support. He highlighted UK innovations like Scotland’s offshore floating wind turbines and Cambridge researchers producing fuel from sunlight.
To back new green tech, the government is launching a £150 million “green future fellowship” aimed at nurturing fresh scientific talent.
However, the plans have sparked criticism. Former PM Boris Johnson and US climate campaigner Al Gore have both voiced concerns, while experts warn urgent cuts to greenhouse gases are crucial to avoid catastrophic global warming.
Scientists have also flagged rising extreme heat events this summer as a clear sign of climate change’s growing impact—adding pressure on the government to act faster.
