Petrol car sales are
ending in the UK.
From 2035, sales of new petrol and diesel cars will stop.
This year, it may become harder to buy a petrol or diesel car in the UK.
Something called the ZEV Mandate means that car companies must sell more electric cars – and fewer petrol ones – in the next few years.
About the new petrol and diesel car ban
When is the ban happening?
The ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is currently slated to happen in 2035.
This was a date set by the previous Government – having been pushed back from the original date of 2030.
How will it work?
From 2035, you won’t be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car.
That doesn’t mean all petrol or diesel cars on the road will be banned: you just won’t be able to buy one brand new.
Buying a petrol or diesel car before the ban
Petrol and diesel cars won’t be banned until 2035 – but things aren’t quite as simple as that…
From this year onwards, car companies must start selling fewer petrol and diesel cars.
In 2024, at least 22% of new cars that every manufacturer sells must be electric.
If they car makers can’t sell enough electric cars to hit that target, many might choose to restrict how many petrol cars they sell in order to balance things out.
Buying an EV before 2035
You won’t struggle to get hold of an electric car in the next few years – and you might grab a bargain
Because of the ZEV Mandate, car companies will almost be forced to build more electric cars in the coming years – even if they can’t find enough customers to buy them.
You can expect to see some tantalising discounts to encourage you into an EV – at least until 2035, when you won’t have a choice in the matter.
Will the ban be brought forward to 2030?
Labour may change the date
Although the ban was originally set for 2030, the previous Government pushed it back to 2035.
Before the election, Labour pledged to return this to 2030 – but this is yet to be confirmed.
FAQs
When will new petrol cars be banned in the UK?
The ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is currently slated to happen in 2035.
Will I still be able to buy a second hand petrol car?
The 2035 ban only affects new car sales – you’ll still be allowed to buy a used petrol or diesel car after 2035.
Will I have to stop driving my petrol car by 2035?
No – the ban only prevents you from buying a brand new one.
Will Keir Starmer move the ban to 2030?
In the run up to the last general election, Labour pledged that the ban would return to 2030 – but this has yet to be confirmed as Government policy.
Will hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars still be allowed?
No. Effectively, no car that you can fill up with petrol or diesel into will be allowed to be sold new from 2035.
What about synthetic fuel?
Although some countries are making exceptions for new cars powered exclusively by synthetic fuel, this isn’t the case in the UK.