Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the government remains committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK from 2030.
He pointed out, however, that he wants to take a “pragmatic” approach to phasing out fossil fuels and achieving net zero, and has suggested that there may be some watering down taking place with some green policies.
The Prime Minister said, “We’re going to make progress towards net zero but we’re going to do that in a proportionate and pragmatic way that doesn’t unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives.”
He added that, with inflation impacting household bills, people are “living through a tough time at the moment”, and that “I don’t want to add to that, I want to make it easier.”
A government spokesperson has since stated that it remains committed to the 2030 deadline.
There was a range of reactions to the statement. Many OEMs are unhappy with any hint of relaxing the net zero rules. They have spent considerable resources, both costs and time, to realigning their manufacturing infrastructures and supply chains to the new net zero requirements and most believe it is too late for any U-turn to take place.
Others are concerned that this is a political move and not an environmental or logistical one, and that climate commitments must be maintained and met.
The leasing sector needs to be aware of any changes made to the net zero timeline, if they are made. Best practice relies on giving customers the correct vehicle for their requirements, and sales staff must take into account the larger picture when recommending vehicles.
While leasing stock is dependent on manufacturer production, there are always options available for customers who are looking for new vehicles, and the progress and timeline toward net zero will be a strong factor in any new vehicle choice as we approach 2030.
