Labour has confirmed that a UK petrol and diesel car ban will launch at the end of the decade. Labour had repeatedly pledged to re-instate the 2030 ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine models which was a manifesto commitment. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had pushed back the ban’s timeline to 2035 to bring the transition more in line with countries across Europe.

Department for Transport officials had opened a consultation asking for feedback from industry on how to meet the 2030 goal. However, politicians confirmed that the new 2030 target was now official as they announced a package of measures around the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate on Sunday evening.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stressed that petrol and diesel cars would be “phased out” within five years.

In a new statement, she said: “We will always back British business. In the face of global economic challenges and stifled by a lack of certainty and direction for too long, our automotive industry deserves clarity, ambition and leadership. That is exactly what we are delivering today.

“Our ambitious package of strengthening reforms will protect and create jobs - making the UK a global automotive leader in the switch to EVs - all the while meeting our core manifesto commitment to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.”

Although new petrol and diesel cars will not be produced after 2030, the rule will allow for the sale of second-hand combustion models.

Reacting to the news, Conservative Shadow Paymaster General, Richard Holden MP warned the plan would backfire on motorists. 

He explained: “A lot of my constituents in Basildon and Billericay tradespeople will be coming into London on a daily basis. They have already been hammered by the congestion charge and the expansion of that ULEZ zone.

“That has been a real killer for a lot of them and now they are going to have to be paying this as well.”