Government ‘lacks plan’ for 2030 petrol and diesel sales ban

EV prices, charging infrastructure, recycling of batteries and retraining of mechanics among concerns raised by MPs

Government ‘lacks plan’ for 2030 petrol and diesel sales ban

The UK government must do more to overcome the ‘huge challenge’ of banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by its 2030 deadline, MPs have warned.

The government has been scrutinised over the details of its plan to phase out the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and new hybrids by 2035.

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which examines the value-for-money of Government projects, has said more thought needs to be put into the price of new electric cars, their availability on the used market, the accessibility of public charging and the effect of their production on carbon emissions.

The PAC’s report calls on the government to set out its plans for managing the “complex transition” to electric cars.

Watch: James May reveals Tesla battery glitch

New EV prices are “too high” for many people in comparison to petrol or diesel equivalents, the PAC says, while further research is also recommended into running costs.

The PAC says the Department for Transport (DfT) made a “series of assumptions” about journey types and EV charging behaviours.

These include 99 per cent of journeys being less than 100 miles, the vast majority of EV charging taking place at home and at night-time, and people using public charging infrastructure on longer trips.

The DfT has not, however, estimated how many public chargers the UK will need to keep up with the rollout of EVs, according to the PAC.

The committee specifically says the government has “not focused much attention on charging for people that do not have off-street parking”.

Petrol and diesel car ban explained

The sales ban of all new petrol and diesel cars is to be brought forward to 2030, the Prime Minister has said.

The ban on petrol and diesel models is now an entire decade ahead of the initial 2040 enforcement date first ushered by the government.

New hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars that can “drive a significant distance without emitting carbon” can continue to be sold until 2035, at which point they too will be banned.

Second-hand cars are unaffected by the ban.

Opinion: Gearing up your workshop for EVs isn’t as hard as you’d think

Additional concerns over the environmental impact of producing electric cars and the “eventual recycling challenge” were also raised.

Difficulties surrounding the retraining of mechanics to service EVs, the demand for electricity and the implications on Vehicle Excise duty are also yet to be addressed by government according to the report.

Commenting on the report, RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes said: “While the 2030 deadline is a huge challenge, the number of drivers choosing electric vehicles is higher than ever and with more new models coming on to the market, the proportion will only grow further.

Related: Electric vehicles “here to stay”, garages told

“The government’s plug-in car grant provides some incentive to purchase an electric car but there is no commitment to retain this beyond 2023 at present and we would encourage the government to continue looking at ways to incentivise take-up.

“A strong network of fast, reliable and easy-to-use public chargepoints which allow for contactless payment, alongside measures to help those without off-street parking, are undoubtedly vital pieces to the jigsaw of making an electric vehicle become the default choice in the next few years.”

Share your comments below.

Home Page Forums Government ‘lacks plan’ for 2030 petrol and diesel sales ban

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #212609 Reply

    The UK government must do more to overcome the ‘huge challenge’ of banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by its 2030 deadline, MPs have warne
    [See the full post at: Government ‘lacks plan’ for 2030 petrol and diesel sales ban]

    #212613 Reply
    graham cox
    Guest

    we all understand that the worlds climate is changing,but the move towards electric cars is not the answer
    the electric option is flawed badly and garages will be unable to employ the reqd staff to train and fix them because for some reason when a garage tries to charge like an electrician the customers are unable/unwilling to pay the invoice
    the motor trade needs to get a cross section of independent garages and sit down with the powers that be and explain to them what it is like dealing with the public and why electric is flawed

    #212614 Reply
    Peter Miles
    Guest

    I think they have massively underestimated the number of people without access to off-street parking. So where are they to charge their cars overnight?
    But then it probably won’t be a problem because they won’t be able to afford one anyway! So we’re just going to have to keep the existing combustion engined cars going and going…..
    Which, obviously will do nothing for emissions!

    #212617 Reply
    Meat-Head
    Guest

    To Graham Cocks (first post)

    Think you will find it is much much harder to find an electrical fault
    Than a mechanical one.

    Wheel bearing hanging off diagnosed quick.

    No wipers, no indicators, no windows, no communication to any module

    Would you instantly think “central locking compressor in the boot caught fire and shorted the data bus out”

    As for electric cars/hybrids, have no interest in the drivetrain
    But windows horn lights etc are low voltage and safe (expect jlr heater motor)
    But the imi fuds wanting everyone to be licensed on hybrid/ electric junk
    What is the point!

    Whoever wants electric cars should be forced to drive one 24:7 and also be there when broken one comes up

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

LEAVE A REPLY:

Reply To: Government ‘lacks plan’ for 2030 petrol and diesel sales ban

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Have your say!

0 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.