The expected delay of the ban on selling new petrol cars until 2035 by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has drawn criticism from car manufacturer Ford. The decision to backtrack

on several green targets, including the phase-out of gas boilers from 2035, has caused concern among Tory party members, Labour figures, environmental groups, and now, car manufacturers.

Lisa Brankin, Chairwoman of Ford UK, emphasized the need for ambition, commitment, and consistency from the UK government. She expressed that relaxing the 2030 target would undermine these essential elements.

Ford had made investment plans based on the 2030 target for cars. Rishi Sunak stated his commitment to the target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 but suggested that it could be done in a more proportionate way.

Despite concerns over the potential reversal of green policies, Sunak insisted that the government remains ambitious and committed to its goals. However, senior figures within the Tory party have criticized this move, with some MPs reportedly considering letters of no confidence if the changes proceed.

The party's recent success in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, where opposition to the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) played a significant role, has led to calls for Sunak to reconsider or abandon net zero pledges.

While some MPs argue against asking people to change their heating systems and cars, others warn that reversing these commitments could cost the UK jobs, hinder economic growth, and potentially lead to higher energy bills and dependency on volatile fossil fuel prices. Photo by Dave Parker, Wikimedia commons.