The UK adopted a strict pro-EV stance and implemented an official strategy to phase out internal combustion engine-powered vehicles. It was one of the first countries to do so. The initial date was scheduled for 2030. Now, it has been delayed.
Originally, the Brits wanted to ban the sale of all new passenger cars hiding a fossil fuel-hungry powerplant under their hoods by 2040. Then, Boris Johnson said the country must make its "green ambitions" known and lowered the phasing-out timeframe by a decade.
Now, there's a new government leading the United Kingdom. The officials announced that automakers would be able to sell their gas- and diesel-powered passenger cars until 2035. Thus, on December 31, 2034, one last non-hybrid vehicle will be sold to someone, which will be completely legal. When the clock strikes midnight, such a transaction will become illegal. That's, of course, true only if the government won't change its mind again.
Remember that the ban doesn't forbid drivers from enjoying their internal combustion engine-powered cars. It just forces dealers to stop selling brand-new automobiles with an exhaust system spewing out all kinds of nasty chemicals.
However, it indirectly forces automakers to prepare by electrifying their portfolios in advance. Some already did. They are not happy with what's happening now.
The decision will most likely anger protesters. Organizations like Just Stop Oil or leaderless movements like the Tire Extinguishers have just obtained renewed reasons to continue and even amplify their actions.
It also comes at a time when gas prices are high, and the uptrend seems like it will continue because Saudi Arabia and Russia decided to curb the crude oil output voluntarily.
Photo: Ford
But it's not just environmentalists who disagree with such decisions. Ford UK Chair Lisa Brankin released a short statement in which it pointed out that the automaker invested hundreds of millions in the country to kickstart the electric revolution. She underlined that the delay won't do anything but undermine the efforts to decarbonize the UK's economy.
Still, it sounds like Ford doesn't appreciate the country's everchanging public policies. She said the Blue Oval needs "ambition, commitment, and consistency" from the UK government.
But we know at least three auto brands that won't be upset about this delay – Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a live press conference and said he and His Majesty's government believe that the consumer should be the one who makes the choice. He also underlined that it's not right "to impose more costs on working people."
That might signal friction with London's mayor, who favors expanding the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). Brits living in the capital city and adjacent areas have complained about selling their cars and relying on unpredictable public transport.
At first, the decision might seem chaotic and irresponsible. But a survey from last year showed that over 40% of the Brits strongly believed their country won't ever be ready for a complete transition to all-electric vehicles.
Photo: Tesla
Nonetheless, the delay does raise some questions. A report showed that affluential businesspersons lobbied the UK government to introduce additives that could drastically lower the emissions from internal combustion engine-powered cars' exhaust systems. Those substances, although unproven, were touted as revolutionary.
Even though EVs are great for local environments because they don't emit any harmful gasses and use their friction brakes less than traditional cars, it's worth noting that forcing everyone to switch to one isn't a good strategy. We touched on this subject last year when we underlined that banning internal combustion engine cars would be a major mistake.
But it's not just us thinking that. Even declared EV fan Rowan Atkinson, the actor who played Mr. Bean, believes that making everyone buy a new car just because the government decided to say so is a bad idea.
Like fast fashion, replacing a working vehicle with another solely to switch powertrains has repercussions. One is scrapping a reliable car for another that may not have a low carbon footprint. Due to mining for critical minerals and lengthy supply chains, EVs are dirtier than gas-powered cars when leaving the factory.
But the decision was already taken. Now, it remains to be seen if the UK will change its mind again until 2035.
"It should be you, the consumer that makes that choice, not government forcing you to do it"
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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