UK to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030

The British government has brought forward its ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2030 as part of a “green industrial revolution” announced overnight by prime minister Boris Johnson.

The government’s £12 billion ($A21.8bn) 10-point plan is expected to create 250,000 jobs and will target a variety of areas in the automotive industry including electric vehicle battery technology and hydrogen fuel production.

Johnson has promised to spend £1.3 billion ($A2.4bn) to quickly expand the number of EV charging stations across the UK, and will provide a further £582 million ($A1.1bn) in subsidies to promote the purchase of full-electric and ultra-low-emission vehicles.

“Nearly £500 million” ($A908m) will also be invested in the development and production of EV batteries over the next four years, with a particular focus on creating jobs in industrial heartland areas such as the Midlands and North East.

The British government’s latest move comes nine months after it fast-forwarded its original plan to ban combustion-engined cars by 2040, setting a revised target of 2035 in February this year.

“Although this year has taken a very different path to the one we expected, I haven’t lost sight of our ambitious plans to level up across the country,” Johnson said in a statement.

“My 10-point plan will create, support and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs, whilst making strides towards net zero [carbon emissions] by 2050.

“We’ll invest more than £2.8bn in electric vehicles, lacing the land with charging points and creating long-lasting batteries in UK gigafactories.

“This will allow us to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030.

“However, we will allow the sale of hybrid cars and vans that can drive a significant distance with no carbon coming out of the tailpipe until 2035.”

There are no timelines set for diesel-powered heavy commercial vehicles, but the government will launch a consultation process with industry to work towards phasing them out.

It also pledged £500 million ($A908m) for low-carbon hydrogen development, which will be used for the transport and electricity sectors, among others.

Perhaps surprisingly, the peak industry body representing car manufacturers in the UK, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said it was broadly supportive of the new deadline but posed “an immense challenge”.

“We share government’s ambition for leadership in decarbonising road transport and are committed to the journey,” said SMMT chief Mike Hawes.

“Manufacturers have invested billions to deliver vehicles that are already helping thousands of drivers switch to zero, but this new deadline, fast-tracked by a decade, sets an immense challenge.

“We are pleased, therefore, to see government accept the importance of hybrid transition technologies – which drivers are already embracing as they deliver carbon savings now – and commit to additional spending on purchase incentives.”

Hawes also emphasised that “success will depend on reassuring consumers that they can afford these new technologies, that they will deliver their mobility needs and, critically, that they can recharge as easily as they refuel”.

“For that, we look to others to step up and match our commitment. We will now work with government on the detail of this plan, which must be delivered at pace to achieve a rapid transition that benefits all of society, and safeguards UK automotive manufacturing and jobs,” he said.

The Australian federal government has steered clear of following Britain and other countries in setting targets to phase out combustion-engined vehicles.

It is investing in EV infrastructure but does not provide subsidies or other incentives to stimulate sales of electric vehicles.