Monday 27 February 2023

‘Public wants 2030 ban on petrol cars lifted’

More than half of the British public want the government to cancel its plans to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030.

That’s according to a survey by the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), which found this number rose to 60% for Conservative voters and dropped to 48% for Labour voters.

The government imposed the planned ban to meet net zero goals, with transport accounting for 22% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Chairman of the ABD, Brian Gregory, said: “It is clear that there is support for a delay to the government’s net zero plans for motor vehicles. Drivers do not want to have their options restricted and nor do they believe that a ban should be imposed as early as 2030.”

Drivers have complained about the financial impacts of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, which the Mayor of London is looking to expand, congestion charges and having to purchase electric vehicles (EVs).

However, recent research has demonstrated that running EVs is now a cheaper option than petrol or diesel cars.

The lack of charging infrastructure has also been quoted as a reason for disdain towards the ban.