Sales of some new hybrid cars will be allowed until 2035, the government has said, but it denied that this was a change to a manifesto pledge to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
Ministers plan to reinstate a 2030 ban on new cars that run solely on petrol and diesel that was dropped by Rishi Sunak a year ago, with a decision yet to come on which hybrid cars will be allowed. That final decision will be made after consultation with carmakers and other interested parties.
The statement followed a report in the Daily Telegraph at the weekend that it intended to “back away” from a total ban in 2030.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “This is untrue as we have always been committed to restoring the original 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new cars with pure internal combustion engines.
“The original phase-out date included the provision for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 35. We know it is important to provide certainty and stability for drivers and will set out further details in due course.”
Carmakers have been lobbying furiously to extend petrol…
