Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be well aware of the petrol and diesel car ban soon coming into force in the UK. As announced by the UK government, the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be completely banned for 2035 in a move towards a greener, low-emission way of travelling.
While the anticipated shift towards electric driving undoubtedly brings excitement, the upcoming petrol and diesel car ban has also created a lot of apprehension amongst UK drivers. Questions including ‘will I have to sell my car?’, ‘how much will it cost?’ and ‘what about my van?’ are all common and relevant, but worry not, Intelligent Vehicle Finance is here to clear up any uncertainty and tell you everything you need to know about the long-awaited changes.
1. The Ban Was Originally Set For 2030
Talk of a petrol and diesel car ban has been happening for some time and the proposed changes were initially set to come into place as of 2030. However, under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, the UK government has pushed the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles back to 2035 so there is a little more time for both drivers and manufacturers to understand the changes. Though the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging has improved significantly in recent years, the delay also allows for extra time for further improvements as charging requirements inevitably increase further.
2. The Ban Only Applies To The Sale Of New Cars
Much of the uncertainty surrounding the petrol and diesel car ban comes from concerns that drivers will be forced to sell their beloved vehicles and upgrade even when they are not ready to. In fact, the upcoming ban applies only to the sale or lease of new vehicles. Petrol and diesel cars will still be available on the second-hand market and you will not be required to scrap your vehicle ahead of 2035.
3. Hybrid Vehicles Are Included In The Ban
Hybrid vehicles have posed a bit of a grey area when it comes to the petrol and diesel car ban. While hybrids are undoubtedly greener than a standard petrol or diesel vehicle, they still have an engine that utilises this type of fuel. Further confusion has been added by the fact that the ban on hybrid vehicles was originally set to come 5 years after the petrol and diesel car ban. However, the sale of new hybrid vehicles will now also be banned in 2035 when the new legislation comes into force.
4. Vans & Commercial Vehicles Are Included
Drivers should also be aware that vans and commercial vehicles are included in the ban. From 2035, like the sale of petrol and diesel cars, the sale of new petrol and diesel vans and lorries will also be banned. Again, new vehicles will not be included but it is important to plan ahead if you use a vehicle for commercial purposes and budget in advance to make a green investment when you next need to replace your van.
5. Incentives Are Available
To encourage drivers to get on board with low-emission plans and make the switch to electric vehicles ahead of the petrol and diesel ban in 2035, there are a number of direct and indirect incentives available to those going green. As well as grants available via the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, individuals and businesses can also benefit from various tax advantages associated with electric vehicles. Intelligent Vehicle Finance has created a handy guide to the costs of electric vehicles so you can make a fully informed decision about whether the switch is right for you and/or your business.
Go Green Now With Intelligent Vehicle Finance
If you’re keen to embrace the electric vehicle revolution ahead of the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles, leasing might be the way forward. Here at Intelligent Vehicle Finance, we can provide you with a complete range of the best electric car lease deals on models from all manufacturers. Get in touch with the team today and you’ll be driving away zero-emissions style in no time!