8 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2023 BIG ISSUE www.aftermarketonline.net The ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which had been set to come into force in 2030, was shifted back to 2035 by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday 20 September. With infrastructure lagging behind adoption, and EVs still higher in price than ICE equivalents, the announcement was one of a number he made designed to ease the financial pressure on households, including a similar push-back on the ban on gas boilers for homes, which has also been pushed back to 2035. Commenting on the measures, the P.M said: “This country is proud to be a world leader in reaching Net Zero by 2050, but we simply won’t achieve it unless we change. We’ll now have a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families, all while doubling down on the new green industries of the future. In a democracy, that’s the only realistic path to Net Zero.” Commenting on the potential impact on the shift to EVs, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “The automotive industry’s commitment to a zero-emission new car and van market remains unchanged. Net Zero cannot be achieved without this sector’s decarbonisation. The Prime Minister has confirmed that a mandate to compel the sale of EVs – the single biggest mechanism to deliver Net Zero – will be published shortly, starting in January 2024. Manufacturers will continue to put innovative new models on the market but consumers need encouragement to buy more than ever. Today’s announcement must be backed up with a package of attractive incentives and measures to accelerate charging infrastructure to give consumers the confidence to switch. Carrots move markets faster than sticks.” Transport research group New AutoMotive helped to bring the UK ICE ban forward from 2040 to 2030. CEO Ben Nelmes said: “Pushing the ban on buying petrol and diesel cars back to 2035 is an abdication of leadership that motorists will pay the price for. It sets us back in the global race to develop green industries - a huge own goal by the UK. It’s also a hammer blow to the UK’s leadership on climate change. Despite what the Prime Minister has claimed, it will be harder to meet our legally binding emissions targets. “He is right to say that electric car prices are dropping and charging infrastructure is improving – but this is thanks to the industry investing billions of pounds working towards the 2030 target. Pushing the date back will raise costs for motorists by deterring future investment in the UK EV industry and supply chain.” Ben added: “It will restrict job creation, weaken energy security and lead to higher energy bills for longer for everyone. It removes a key pillar of the current government industrial GOVERNMENT ROLLS ICE BAN BACK TO 2035 The rolling-back of the internal combustion engine deadline to 2035 by the Government met a mixed reaction from the automotive sector
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