The 2030 Petrol & Diesel Car Ban Reinstated: What To Know

After much back-and-forth and policy debate, the UK’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is officially back on track to come into effect in 2030. 

The Government’s recent confirmation that it will reverse the 2035 extension marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to sustainable transport — with major implications for drivers, car manufacturers, and the automotive industry at large. But what does this mean for those who currently own petrol or diesel vehicles? 

Consider this blog your guide to the updated petrol and diesel car ban, as we dive into the implications this change has for drivers across the UK.

Diesel car ban back & forth

Over the past few years, the date of the ban on sales of new diesel and petrol cars has shifted back and forth, causing more than a little confusion among drivers. Initially, the ban date was set for 2030, with all cars sold after this date rewired to be electric. 

But, in September 2023, the proposed ban was pushed back by five years to 2035. For many at the time, this pushback felt like a huge sidestep, and left plenty of drivers confused about the future of fuel and new car purchases. However, the new Labour Government has since announced the reinstatement of the original 2030 ban date, in support of the purchasing of electric vehicles.

So, what now?

The headlines from the petrol & diesel car ban

With the announcement of the ban, then its delay, and now its reinstatement (not to mention all the press and speculation that’s followed) the actual laws coming into force seem to have been overlooked a bit. So, as a reminder, here’s what’s now being proposed:

• The Government has confirmed that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out from 2030, in order to foster an uptake in electric vehicles in line with wider net zero targets and initiatives.
• According to Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, the Government will ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by the end of the decade.
• Petrol and diesel cars are still legally allowed to be driven from 2030.
• Fuel for petrol and diesel cars is still legally allowed to be purchased from 2030.
• Second-hand petrol and diesel cars are still allowed to be purchased from 2030.

Industry opinion on the petrol & diesel car ban

Since the Government announced its intention to reinstate the original 2030 ban date, the Department for Transport has been consulting the UK motoring industry to determine how the proposed phase-out of new diesel and petrol cars will work.

At the time of writing, the Transport Secretary is still seeking opinions from electric vehicle and automotive industry experts to “restore clarity” on how best to implement the ban. 

In November, as part of this consultation, Ford warned that the mandate to produce and sell more EVs “just doesn’t work” without demand, indicating that drivers are not currently switching to electric vehicles at the rate required to achieve the 2030 deadline — largely due to charging infrastructure and the cost of EVs.

The success of the 2030 petrol and diesel car ban will ultimately depend on how well the Government addresses these industry concerns, and commits to the transition to electric vehicles. 

Now that that’s clear, let’s take a look at the reasons behind the ban being postponed, and reinstated, before answering some more specific questions below.

Why was the petrol & diesel car ban postponed?

When Rishi Sunak announced the delay on the petrol and diesel car ban in September 2023, he gave a list of reasons — most of which involved concerns about the financial expectations placed on the public by issuing such a ban in a cost-of-living crisis.

High costs, concerns relating to practicality for small businesses, and a lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the nation were also cited as motives for moving the ban back by five years.

Sunak defended his decision as a sensible one more aligned with realistic Net Zero goals on multiple occasions. To quote Rishi Sunak directly, “There's nothing ambitious about simply asserting a goal for a short-term headline without being honest with the public about the tough choices and sacrifices involved [...]. The Climate Change Committee has rightly said, you don't reach net zero simply by wishing it yet. That's precisely what previous governments have done”.

What did drivers think of the ban delay?

Why is the petrol & diesel car ban now 2030 again?

Now let’s take a look at the reasons given by the new Labour Government for reinstating the original 2030 ban date.

Despite critics describing the reverse of the ban’s extension as “a step too far” (Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary, Gareth Bacon), Labour has long said they would undo the decision made by the Conservatives to extend the ban, chiefly owing to the disruptions it made in the automotive industry. 

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, recently cited environmental reasons as the motive behind the ban extension reversal, stating: “The need to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels has never been clearer, and the transition to zero-emission vehicles will play a critical role in quickly reducing carbon emissions and improving our energy security.”

A driving decision behind the reversal of the ban extension, however, is likely the ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mandate that came into effect on January 3rd 2024. This mandate currently stands as the world’s most ambitious framework of regulation for the move to electric vehicles, and sets incremental targets for car manufacturers to ensure a certain amount of all their new sales are zero emissions. Under this mandate, manufacturers who do not hit their quota of EVs sold per year could face fines of £15,000 per car sold. 

What does this mean for motorists?

Amid all the changes and reversals surrounding this ban, motorists have been left with numerous questions about the sale and value of diesel and petrol cars — not to mention about fuel, legality, and maintaining their cars. Below, we’ve taken some of the most commonly asked questions around this topic and given guidance for those feeling left in the lurch. 

Will petrol and diesel cars be banned?

While 2030 is now the new date for the ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars, will ICE vehicles be banned altogether? And, if so, when? Looking further ahead, beyond the sales ban of new petrol and diesel cars, it is tempting to think about whether these vehicles will ever be banned outright.

On this, we’re inclined to say ‘no’. While there may well be certain restrictions and taxes imposed onto congested areas (such as the ULEZ in London and other major cities), it is unlikely that the Government will allow these cars themselves to be outright banned — otherwise, this would have to extend to classic vehicles and other forms of transport too.

When will all new cars in the UK be electric?

Are diesel cars still being made?

The short answer is yes. The more accurate answer is yes, but not for much longer. Diesel cars have always been popular and will continue to be made by some manufacturers right up until the ban in 2030. However, beyond this point, the UK Government has banned the production of new diesel vehicles — in line with similar bans across Europe. So, the end is near for new diesel cars.

If you prefer this vehicle type, you can still buy them second-hand. However, depending on the age and engine type of the car, you may be subject to charges and restrictions from things like the ULEZ.

What about classic cars fuel?

We understand the concern of classic car drivers regarding the future of their vehicles. However, a common misconception about the petrol and diesel car ban is that petrol and diesel themselves will be banned — and this is not the case. Petrol will still be available, along with diesel, for drivers of ICE vehicles even after the ban has come into force. 

Will petrol stop being sold?

The 2030 ban has to do with the sale of new cars that use petrol and diesel as their source of fuel. For any existing, second-hand, or classic vehicles, nothing will change. Since second-hand cars with internal combustion engines can still be sold and driven, petrol will still be available and will not, at least in the near future, be ‘banned’ as a fuel source.

Will petrol still be available after 2040?

Similarly to the above, it is important to understand that, although the cars running on petrol (or diesel) will no longer be available to buy new from the garage, you can still drive them and purchase them second hand.

Depending on how well you maintain your vehicle, it could last you decades. So, as long as there are still petrol and diesel cars on the road, there will still be petrol stations. The only difference is, that they might look a little different in 2040 to cater for the expected increase in electric vehicles.

Will petrol cars lose value

Like diesel cars, there is a limited future for petrol vehicles — and one that we can potentially predict the outcome of.

It’s likely that, in the few years immediately after the car ban comes into play, the value of vehicles with internal combustion engines may decline due to running costs increasing. However, looking years ahead, as the number of petrol cars on the road dwindles (and maybe models become too costly to repair), the cars left behind may be seen in the same way as we view classic cars, potentially gaining value.

Keep your car on the road for longer

Regardless of whether you drive a diesel, petrol, hybrid, or fully electric car, there is one way to guarantee it stays on the road for longer — and that’s through regular, proper maintenance.

To keep your vehicle in good working order, book in for regular servicing at your local Kwik Fit. Or, contact our team to discuss the range of free safety and performance checks available. In the meantime, keep up to date with all the latest motoring advancements and policy changes using the Kwik Fit blog.