'Confusion and uncertainty': Carmakers slam plans to delay 2030 ban on internal combustion engine cars

Cecilia Keating
clock • 5 min read
Chancellor Rishi Sunak visits a petrol station after annoucing a freeze in fuel duty | Credit: Treasury, Flickr
Image:

Chancellor Rishi Sunak visits a petrol station after annoucing a freeze in fuel duty | Credit: Treasury, Flickr

Manufacturers and trade bodies warn investment is at risk, as leaked messages reveal scepticism among cabinet ministers about the auto industry's public support for net zero

The UK's auto industry has blasted the government for sowing "confusion and uncertainty" across the car market, following reports Ministers plan to push back the UK's ban on the sale of new petrol and...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Automotive

Traffic removed from London's Oxford Street as landmark pedestrianisation plan begins

Traffic removed from London's Oxford Street as landmark pedestrianisation plan begins

London Mayor Sadiq Khan hails transformation of famous shopping hub into a car-free road as 'momentous occasion for the capital'

Michael Holder
clock 26 October 2026 • 5 min read
How a weakened ZEV Mandate would risk 'slamming the brakes' on the EV transition

How a weakened ZEV Mandate would risk 'slamming the brakes' on the EV transition

Campaign groups stress 'profound disappointment' at proposals to water down EV sales targets, as government prepares to close controversial ZEV Mandate consultation

Stuart Stone
clock 22 October 2026 • 10 min read
Now is not the time to put the brake on electric vehicles

Now is not the time to put the brake on electric vehicles

What the government opts to do next with the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate will be a major test of its commitment to both the UK car industry and climate action, writes Chris Clark from Green Alliance

Chris Clark, Green Alliance
clock 21 October 2026 • 5 min read