The UK government has announced that sales of certain new hybrid cars will continue until 2035, maintaining a provision that was part of its original 2030 phase-out plan for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, the government has reaffirmed its intention to reintroduce a 2030 ban on cars powered solely by petrol or diesel. This follows a report suggesting a potential retreat from the 2030 commitment, which ministers have denied.
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport clarified: “We have always been committed to restoring the original 2030 phase-out date for pure internal combustion engine cars.” The provision to allow some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 2035 remains unchanged, with further details expected after consultations with the automotive industry.
Carmakers have been lobbying to extend the period for petrol vehicle sales, as electric vehicle (EV) demand has cooled after a surge in recent years. This has led to price reductions in EVs, which has impacted profits for manufacturers. In August, electric vehicles accounted for 22.6% of UK car sales, the highest monthly percentage since December 2022. Analysts expect EV sales to rise as manufacturers work to meet the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires 80% of new cars sold by 2030 to be electric.
Labour’s manifesto promises to restore the 2030 phase-out date for ICE cars but does not specify the future of hybrid vehicles. Hybrids, which combine a petrol engine with a battery, range from mild hybrids to plug-in models that can run short distances on electric power. Although hybrids reduce emissions compared to traditional petrol vehicles, fully electric cars are more energy-efficient and have lower lifetime emissions.
For most drivers, the specific hybrid regulations may have limited impact, as the ZEV mandate will require four out of five new cars to be electric by 2030. However, hybrid sales will remain crucial for some manufacturers, particularly Toyota, which has strongly opposed a full hybrid ban in 2030. The Japanese automaker will need to decide by 2027 whether to upgrade its UK factory to produce electric vehicles.
