Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a significant extension to the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the United Kingdom. Originally slated for 2030, this ban will now be enforced from 2035, allowing the public an additional five years to purchase new vehicles powered by traditional combustion engines.
In a press conference, Prime Minister Sunak outlined the changes, emphasising that even after the 2035 deadline, second-hand sales of petrol and diesel vehicles will still be permitted. This adjustment aligns the UK with several European Union countries, including Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, as well as select US states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts, all of which have set similar targets.
Sunak expressed his confidence that by 2030, “the vast majority” of cars on UK roads will be electric, citing advancements in technology as a driving force behind this transition.
Additionally, the Prime Minister addressed the transition from gas boilers to heat pumps, stating that there will be “far more time” for this shift, alleviating concerns about high costs for families during a period when such technology remains relatively expensive. An exemption for the poorest households has also been introduced, ensuring they are not compelled to make the switch.
Sunak reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while emphasising the importance of gaining public support for these environmental initiatives. Net-zero entails removing from the atmosphere as many greenhouse gas emissions as the country produces.
Highlighting the UK’s track record of innovation and new technologies, Sunak praised developments such as the Scottish wind team’s work on servicing offshore floating wind turbines at sea and researchers at Cambridge who have harnessed sunlight to produce fuel. To further encourage innovation, he announced the creation of a £150 million “green future fellowship” to support new scientists and engineers.
Turning to the government’s plans for decarbonising homes, Sunak underscored the need to make heat pumps more affordable for households, particularly those facing financial challenges. Households will now have until 2035 to transition to heat pumps, and this change will only be mandatory when they are changing their boilers.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the UK’s commitment to environmental conservation, including protecting forests and setting out further environmental plans ahead of COP28.
Nevertheless, he has encountered criticism from various political figures, including former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Vice President of the United States Al Gore.
Climate experts emphasise the pressing need for substantial reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions to avert potentially catastrophic temperature increases.
During the summer, scientists issued warnings about the escalating occurrence of extreme heat events, attributing this trend to the effects of climate change.
