When will petrol and diesel cars be banned?

The transition to zero-emission electric vehicles is gaining momentum as authorities around the world take action to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The UK will be one of the first to do so after the government announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. But what does this ban mean for you? Read on to find out.

What is generally prohibited?

The UK government intends to ban the sale of new vehicles powered solely by petrol or diesel starting in 2030.

Some plug-in hybrid vehicles, powered by both electricity and gasoline (or diesel) engines, will remain on sale until 2035. The sale of other types of road vehicles with petrol or diesel engines will also be banned over time.

The ban is currently in the proposal stage. It will probably be several years before the bill is passed in Parliament and becomes the law of the country. But it is unlikely that anything will stop the ban from becoming law.

Why is a ban needed?

According to most scientists, climate change is the biggest threat in the 21st century. One of the main causes of climate change is carbon dioxide. 

Gasoline and diesel cars emit a lot of carbon dioxide, so banning them is a critical element in the fight against climate change. Since 2019, the UK has a legal obligation to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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What will replace petrol and diesel cars?

Gasoline and diesel vehicles will be replaced by "zero emission vehicles" (ZEVs), which do not emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants while driving. Most people will switch to a battery-powered electric vehicle (EV).

Most automakers are already shifting their focus from developing gasoline and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles, and some have announced that their entire range will be battery-powered by 2030. too much.

It is likely that electric vehicles powered by other technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, will also be available. Indeed, Toyota and Hyundai already have fuel cell vehicles (FCV) on the market.

When will sales of new petrol and diesel cars stop?

Theoretically, petrol and diesel vehicles could remain on sale until the day the ban goes into effect. In practice, it is likely that very few vehicles will be available at this point because most automakers have already converted their entire lineup to electric vehicles.

Many industry experts predict that there will be very high demand for new petrol and diesel cars in the last few years before the ban comes into effect, from people who don't want an electric car.

Can I use my petrol or diesel car after 2030?

Existing petrol and diesel vehicles will not be banned from the road in 2030, and there are no proposals to do so in the next few decades or even this century.

It is possible that owning a gasoline or diesel car will become more expensive if fuel prices rise and vehicle taxes increase. The government will want to do something to offset the loss of revenue from carbon dioxide-based road taxes and fuel duties as more people switch to electric vehicles. The most likely option is to charge drivers for using the roads, but there are no firm proposals on the table yet.

Can I buy a used petrol or diesel car after 2030?

The ban applies only to the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles. You will still be able to buy, sell and drive existing "used" petrol and diesel vehicles.

Will I still be able to buy petrol or diesel fuel?

Since there are no proposals to ban petrol or diesel vehicles on the roads, there are no plans to ban the sale of petrol or diesel fuel. 

However, the fuel can be replaced with carbon neutral synthetic fuels. Also known as "e-fuel", it can be used in any internal combustion engine. A lot of money has been invested in the development of this technology, so some form of e-fuel is likely to appear in gas stations in the relatively near future.

Will the ban reduce the range of new cars available to me?

Most automakers are already gearing up to convert their entire lineup to electric vehicles ahead of a 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles. There are also many emerging brands entering the arena, with more to come in the coming years. So there will definitely be no shortage of choice. Whatever type of car you want, there should be a pure electric one that suits your needs.

How easy will it be to charge electric vehicles by 2030?

One of the challenges EV owners are currently facing is the charging infrastructure in the UK. Several public chargers are available in some areas of the country, and across the country, some chargers vary in reliability and speed. 

Large sums of public and private funds are directed to provide chargers for highways, parking lots and residential areas. Some oil companies have jumped on board and are planning networks of charging stations that look and provide the same features as filling stations. National Grid says it will also be able to meet the increased demand for electricity.

There are many quality electric vehicles for sale at Cazoo. Use our search function to find the one you like, buy it online and then have it delivered to your door or pick it up at your nearest Cazoo customer service center.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you can't find the right car today, check back soon to see what's available, or set up a stock alert to be the first to know when we have cars that match your needs.