Ban on hybrid cars could be shifted to 2032

RAC says Government is constantly moving the goalposts in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses

Mike Wright Christopher Hope chief Political correspondent

THE hybrid car ban could be moved forward to 2032, the Transport Secretary has revealed, prompting the RAC to accuse the Government of

“constantly moving the goalposts” for drivers.

Grant Shapps said that the Government wants to phase out the sale of diesel, petrol and hybrid cars by 2035 “at the latest”.

His comments are the second time in a week the Government has shifted the ban after the Prime Minister announced last Tuesday that he planned to bring it forward from 2040 to 2035.

The sales ban is part of plans to shift drivers over to fully electric cars to help reduce the UK’S emissions to net zero by 2050. Speaking on BBC Radio 5

Live yesterday, Mr Shapps said: “The Prime Minister last week has said we would like to do that by 2035 at the latest. We have said 2035 or even 2032.”

Mr Shapps, who drives a Tesla Model 3 electric car, said his department was investing around £1.5billion in charging infrastructure to help coax people away from petrol and diesel vehicles.

He added that there were “now more public charging locations than petrol stations in this country” and “electric cars are coming and we want to help the country transition”.

However, motoring associations have warned that there are still not enough charging points to combat fears that drivers could be left stranded, and that electric cars are generally too expensive and don’t have sufficient range to convince motorists to switch.

Responding to Mr Shapps’s comments, the RAC warned the Government’s constantly shifting position could also be putting drivers off buying hybrids that had lower emissions than traditional petrol or diesel cars.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “While the Government appears to be constantly moving the goalposts forward for ending the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, drivers should not be worried about opting for a plug-in hybrid now.

“They are potentially the perfect stepping stone for those who want to go electric but who have concerns about range as they aren’t as expensive as a battery electric vehicle.”

Mr Shapp’s comments were backed by No10, although advisers refused to confirm the 2032 date. A spokesman said that Boris Johnson had only ever promised to bring the deadline for a ban on sales of new patrol and diesel cars to “2035 or earlier if faster transition appears feasible”.

Asked whether the date could be brought earlier to 2032 as Mr Shapps suggested, he added that any earlier than 2035 would only be “if it were feasible and based on a consultation”.

The Prime Minister’s announcement last week came after the Government’s independent climate advisor urged ministers to consider moving the sales ban to 2030 to ensure Britain meets the 2050 deadline.