MPs call for earlier ban on petrol and diesel car sales

MPs from the Business Select Committee have urged the government to bring forward the ban on petrol and diesel car sales by eight years to 2032 to avoid the UK falling behind in the global switch to electric cars.

The government had planned to ban fossil-fuel powered vehicles in 2040 but according to MPs the targets were ambiguous and did not show leadership within the UK.

Rachel Reeves MP, chair of committee said: "For all the rhetoric of the UK becoming a world leader in EVs, the reality is that the Government’s deeds do not match the ambitions of their words.

"UK targets on zero emission vehicles are unambitious and vague, giving little clarity or incentive to industry or the consumer to invest in electric cars."

The committee is worried that the UK could be left behind in the global switch to electric cars since countries such as Denmark, Germany and Ireland plan to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The MPs also called on the government to resist the industry’s influence, and prioritise clean air and action on climate change.

The UK’s car industry warned that bringing forward the deadline could increase pressure on the sector which has slashed spending in the face of falling sales caused by Brexit-related economic uncertainty and confusion over the future of diesel.

Mikes Hawes of trade association the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the target set by the committee was too ambitious.

“Government’s 2040 ambition was already extremely challenging, so to fast-track that by eight years would be nigh on impossible,” he said.

“Zero emission vehicles make up just 0.6 per cent of the market meaning consumer appetite would have to grow by some 17,000 per cent in just over a decade.”

According to the BBC, MPs said the UK's charging infrastructure was still inadequate, and gave rise to "range anxiety" of potential buyers of electric vehicles worrying whether there are enough charging stations.