The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), the umbrella body that represents the UK's car industry, has slammed Boris Johnson's decision to bring forward the UK's ban on internal combustion engines (ICE) to 2035.
Ban originally planned for 2040, and didn't include hybrids
Previously, the UK government had said that by 2040, it would end the sale of any vehicle not 'zero-emissions capable' - a phrase that included both ordinary and plug-in hybrid models. Now though, as well as bringing the date forward by five years, the policy has been amended to ban hybrids and plug-in hybrids too.
With 2035 being fifteen years away, that's roughly two model generations, and the SMMT feels that none of the market, the industry, nor the consumer is ready for a shift that big, and that fast.
'Hybrids still just a fraction of sales'
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "It's extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue. Manufacturers are fully invested in a zero emissions future, with some 60 plug-in models now on the market and 34 more coming in 2020. However, with current demand for this still expensive technology still just a fraction of sales, it's clear that accelerating an already very challenging ambition will take more than industry investment. This is about market transformation, yet we still don't have clarity on the future of the plug-in car grant - the most significant driver of EV uptake - which ends in just 60 days' time, while the UK's charging network is still woefully inadequate.
"If the UK is to lead the global zero emissions agenda, we need a competitive marketplace and a competitive business environment to encourage manufacturers to sell and build here. A date without a plan will merely destroy value today. So we therefore need to hear how government plans to fulfil its ambitions in a sustainable way, one that safeguards industry and jobs, allows people from all income groups and regions to adapt and benefit, and, crucially, does not undermine sales of today's low emission technologies, including popular hybrids, all of which are essential to deliver air quality and climate change goals now."
Improvements needed in charging infrastructure
James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars, also waded in on the debate, saying: the Government's announcement yesterday that it intends to ban the selling of new hybrid cars by 2035, alongside new petrol and diesel vehicles, will shift buying patterns in the years ahead. Including hybrids in the ban could prove to be counterproductive if it leads some drivers to hold onto petrol and diesel cars for longer. One positive is that moving the ban from 2040 to 2035 should ultimately deliver a revolution in demand for electric vehicles. Rolling out more charging infrastructure around the country could nudge more drivers to make the leap to plug-in cars. However, financial incentives, such as scrapping VAT on electric vehicles, may be needed to spark drivers to buy EVs in sufficient numbers to send new car sales soaring this year."