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Petrol and diesel ban sparks mixed reaction by Mike Ruff, GW Editor
By 2040, car makers will have produced three generations of their vehicles and with technological innovation within the industry occurring at an unprecedented pace, is news of a petrol and diesel sales ban really that much of a surprise announcement? OFFICIAL confirmation that the government is to end the sale of all new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040 has given rise to a host of questions and concerns from an industry that’s bracing itself for what will be the biggest shake-up it has ever seen. Environment Secretary, Michael Gove said the move is part of a plan to replace the traditional combustion engine in cars and vans with cleaner electric or hybrid alternatives. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Much depends on the cost of these new technologies and how willing consumers are to adopt battery, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars. "Currently demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles is growing but is still at a very low level
as consumers have concern over affordability, range and charging points. "We could undermine the UK’s successful automotive sector if we don’t allow enough
"We could undermine the UK’s successful automotive sector if we don’t allow enough time for the industry to adjust." time for the industry to adjust." Just over half of GW readers have said that they accept news of the 2040 sales ban for new petrol and diesel cars in a recent reader survey. 26 per cent say they’ll now start to invest more into training and equipment for alternatively fuelled vehicles and another 26 per cent say that they’ll “be here to service vehicles, no matter how they are powered.” Commenting on GW, Peter Miles of Polson Hill Garage in Crediton said: “We’ve all adapted to changes in technology. “The businesses that couldn’t have gone. “At the end of the day, even without government intervention it was coming anyway.
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