Labour has pledged to reinstate the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars if it wins the General Election. This commitment, included in the party's

manifesto, aims to provide "certainty to manufacturers."

This move would reverse Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision from September last year to delay the ban until 2035. Labour stated it would accelerate the rollout of chargepoints to support the transition to electric vehicles.

The manifesto also promises to assist used car buyers in switching to electric vehicles by standardizing the information on battery conditions. Recent analysis indicates that drivers face a shortage of affordable used electric cars. Earlier this month, Auto Trader revealed that only 10,000 of the used electric vehicles on its UK-wide marketplace were priced under £15,000, compared to 350,000 used petrol or diesel cars within the same price range.

AA President Edmund King commented, "Reintroducing the 2030 deadline would maintain momentum on the net zero transition and improve our chances of delivering the UK’s net zero ambition. But drivers will need to be supported with the right incentives and reassured about significant progress on infrastructure."

RAC Head of Policy Simon Williams noted, "Electric vehicles are still far too expensive for a majority of drivers. The next government has a great opportunity to stimulate demand by reintroducing a plug-in car grant aimed at the cheaper end of the market."

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, stated, "The EV market has grown rapidly, but concerns over affordability and charging accessibility remain significant barriers. Consumers need incentives, and a fair and fast transition will depend on compelling enablers for all drivers and operators, as well as mandated targets for nationwide charging infrastructure."

Auto Trader Commercial Director Ian Plummer added, "We would welcome the restoration of the 2030 date change regarding the ban on new petrol and diesel sales. Manufacturers and the broader industry are already working towards this date following the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate announced last year, so it makes sense to align consumer expectations."

Under the ZEV mandate, at least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK in 2024 are required to be zero emission, typically meaning pure electric. This threshold will rise annually. Photo by Stacey Harris, Wikimedia commons.