Government want to end sale of diesel cars and vans by 2035

The government wants to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, including hybrids, as early as 2035 under a new strategy to tackle climate change.

Fleet operators will have to introduce initiatives five years earlier than originally suggested, if the plans are approved following consultation.

Industry bodies are worried that the timetable is too short for companies to prepare, especially when it comes to guaranteeing affordable vehicle supply.

Fleet operators’ association ACFO, which represents fleet buyers who account for more than half the cars sold in the UK each year, said the announcement made it clear “politicians do not live in the real world”.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders called the proposals a “date without a plan”.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, whose members own and operate more than five million cars, vans and trucks and buy nearly 50% of all new vehicles sold each year, wants to see a comprehensive electric vehicle support package in the forthcoming budget to back its plans.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said:

To achieve these goals the government must provide a clear support package through to at least 2025. It must preserve the plug-in car and van grants, maintain a strong set of tax incentives and tackle the huge and often arbitrary costs associated with fleet charging infrastructure.

The government originally intended to introduce a petrol and diesel ban from 2040, but has brought the date forward and included hybrids as it prepares to host the next UN climate conference, COP26, in Glasgow in November.

The government says it has a £1.5 billion strategy to support the electric vehicle transition and will begin consulting on the proposals later this year.

Reflex Vehicle Hire has already launched services to help customers to introduce electric cars and vans and we now offer one of the widest zero emission ranges in the industry.

If you want to see how an EV will fit into your fleet, speak to our team to get expert advice or discuss arranging delivery of an electric vehicle.

We can also offer advice on charging requirements, running costs and lots more.

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