The UK government has sparked widespread concern in the automotive industry by announcing its intention to bring forward it fossil fuel vehicle ban by 5 years to 2035. However, perhaps the biggest worry for an industry already struggling with a sales slump and the effects of Brexit, is that this ban now includes hybrid vehicles for the first time.

The new approach was detailed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the launch of the next UN climate conference, COP26, which will take place in Scotland later this year. He indicated the goal was now to move the ban from 2040 to 2035 and to apply it to all non zero emission vehicles, meaning hybrid technology is now included. Effectively this would mean UK buyers will only be able to buy electric or hydrogen cars and vans in fifteen years time.

The announcement was met with disapproval by industry bodies. Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said, "It's extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue. With current demand for this still expensive technology still just a fraction of sales, it's clear that accelerating an already very challenging ambition will take more than industry investment."

The SMMT point out that meeting the 2035 goal would require an ultra ambitious transformation of the UK car market, where battery powered vehicles still only account for 2% of sales despite recent growth. Hybrids currently stand at 8% of the market and were seen by many to be the natural stepping stone towards an electric future.

Mike Hawes called for a comprehensive industry plan with government backing in order to meet any new goals, saying, “A date without a plan will merely destroy value today.”  He also added that the move could undermine sales of cleaner, hybrid cars now and have a major impact on jobs.

Edmund King, the AA president in the UK, gave a motorist perspective commenting, “Drivers support measures to clean up air quality and reduce CO2 emissions but these stretched targets are incredibly challenging. We must question whether we will have a sufficient supply of a full cross-section of zero emissions vehicles in less than 15 years.” He also added that the hybrid ban was, “A backward step that could backfire by encouraging drivers to hold on to older more polluting vehicles for longer.”