Sunak: 2030 polluting car ban here to stay

GUY TAYLOR

THE 2030 banon the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles will remain as a government policy, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland yesterday, Rishi Sunak insisted a ban on the “sale of new cars” has been the policy “for a long time” and “remains the government’s policy”.

“I’m committed... but we will do it in a proportionate and pragmatic way that doesn’t necessarily add burden or cost to families’ bills, particularly at a time when inflation is higher than any of us would have liked,” he added.

The government has faced growing pressure to reaffirm its commitment to what is seen as a key factor in driving the automotive sector to net zero.

Sunak has come under fire in the last few weeks for expressing doubts, with supporters of the policy calling for the

Prime Minister to clarify his position.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove insisted last week that the 2030 goal was “immovable” after Sunak had told national media that he didn’t want to “hassle” consumers with extra costs amid the cost of living crisis and that any net zero push had to be done in a “proportionate and pragmatic way.”

It comes amid fresh calls from some Tories for a rejig of some net zero policies after the Uxbridge by-election.

Former Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith said the government should have “another look” at the plans. “If we rush to this, what we risk right now is simply becoming even more dependent on China,” he said.

The uncertainty has prompted backlash from electric vehicle leaders and campaigners in the automotive sector, who have doubled down on the necessity of the ban for investment in the green transition and hitting targets.