Most UK drivers want 2030 petrol and diesel car ban scrapped

At the end of the decade, the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines will be banned, followed by a similar ban on new hybrids from 2035.

New research has found that 82 percent feel the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles is too soon, citing the number of affordable electric cars as a key reason.

A further 83 percent don’t want to see these traditionally fuelled cars to be scrapped at all.

Nine in 10 drivers believed that the spread of electric car charging stations is not sufficient enough to support the network of EVs already on the road.

Many have accused the Government of falling asleep at the wheel when it comes to EV infrastructure, with many still having range anxiety.

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The Government originally announced the ban on new ICE vehicle sales in 2030, to coincide with the hosting of COP26 in the UK the year after.

At the time, the Government stated that a driver is never more than 25 miles away from a rapid charge point anywhere along England’s motorways and A roads.

Commenting on the decision to ban the sale of new ICE vehicles, former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, said the UK was leading the charge for clean travel.

He added: “The UK is going further and faster than any other major economy to decarbonise transport, harnessing the power of clean, green technology to end the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050.

“Bringing forward the phase-out date could create 40,000 extra jobs by 2030, particularly in our manufacturing heartlands of the North East and across the Midlands, and will see emissions reductions equivalent to taking more than four million cars off the road.”

The research, from Quotezone.co.uk, also found that 95 percent of drivers believe that electric cars are too expensive.

Major manufacturers including Tesla have cut the prices of their flagship models in recent months, while Fiat has launched a £3,000 grant scheme.

Despite this, there are still massive differences in price between petrol and diesel models and electric counterparts.

The Vauxhall Mokka GS line starts from £38,835 for an EV, which is £12,470 more expensive than the petrol version.

Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, said the survey showed how the majority of people are not yet ready to move away from petrol and diesel vehicles just yet.

The data revealed that 49 percent of drivers will only change cars “when they absolutely have to”, which could be before the end of the decade.

Mr Wilson added: “Our survey shows that the Government proposal to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030 is coming too soon for the vast majority of motorists.

“That eight out of 10 drivers don’t think that petrol and diesel cars should be banned at all shows how serious the problem is, and with the change now only seven years away.”