BVRLA responds to PM’s proposal to bring forward petrol and diesel ban

Today the Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a speech to launch the next UN Climate Conference COP26 to announce plans to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035.

The PM would like an even earlier date to be achieved if a faster transition is feasible. The Government now intends to consult with industry and has already contacted the BVRLA to seek views.

The BVRLA will continue to make clear that fleets will only be able to meet the Government’s ambitious new decarbonisation goals if they are given the right support with electric vehicle grants, tax incentives and infrastructure costs.

In today’s announcement, the Prime Minister said: “There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a Global Britain is prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming– it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We want to go further than ever before. That’s why we are bringing forward our already ambitious target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to tackle climate change and reduce emissions.”

In a press release issued earlier today, BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: “ To achieve these goals the Government must provide a clear support package through to at least 2025. It must preserve the Plug in Car and Van Grants, maintain a strong set of tax incentives and tackle the huge and often arbitrary costs associated with fleet charging infrastructure.”

Read the press release issued 4 February, in full here: Time for decarbonisation action as well as targets, says BVRLA