Internal combustion engines (ICE) may stay on UK roads ‘for years to come’ as many drivers resist the 2035 ban.
More than half of drivers are skeptical that petrol and diesel cars will meet the 2035 ban deadline, with support for the measure declining. This follows a report revealing that over half of Britons doubt the Government will meet its target to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
Electric car support decline
A survey revealed that 59 per cent plan to keep their petrol and diesel vehicles for as long as possible, as support for electric cars declines.
Additionally, 50 per cent of respondents felt that scrapping a car solely because it runs on fossil fuels would have too great an environmental impact, while 40 per cent believe electric vehicles don’t suit their lifestyles. A total of 54 per cent expressed interest in learning more about alternative options rather than focusing exclusively on electric vehicles.
Unrealistic deadlines
Under the Conservative Government, one of the original commitments was to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. However, due to market volatility and the need for manufacturers to have more time to adapt, the ban was postponed until 2035.
Labour, in its manifesto prior to taking power, promised to reinstate the 2030 deadline, although the Government has yet to release any further updates on this proposal.
The Sustain survey found that 27 percent of people plan to purchase a new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle just before the deadline, indicating that petrol and diesel cars could remain on UK roads for at least another two decades.
Read the full article here
Alternative fuel
Commenting on the 2035 deadline, Andrew Willson, CEO of Coryton, remarked: “The delay in banning petrol and diesel engines doesn’t mean we should ease up on our climate goals.” He emphasized, “Now is the time to invest in ramping up the production and integration of sustainable fuel components into mainstream fuels, which could make a significant impact much sooner than relying on a single-solution approach.”
Willson highlighted that the current debate is focused on “demonizing petrol and diesel engines rather than the fossil fuels used to power them.” He pointed out, “The vehicles we own, or buy in the lead-up to 2035, will remain on the roads for decades. By targeting traditional engines, we’re overlooking sustainable solutions that could contribute to progress on our net-zero goals today.”
“Sustainable fuels are readily available, compatible with the existing fleet, and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 per cent compared to fossil fuels,” he added.
Download our new app
