Carmakers Lobby UK to Revoke 2035 Petrol and Diesel Car Ban 2026

Carmakers lobby UK to revoke the 2035 petrol and diesel car ban, according to leaked documents revealing a coordinated effort to overturn a key decarbonisation policy. BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Bosch wrote a joint letter in April calling for an 'open technology approach' that would allow petrol and diesel cars beyond 2035, when the government had mandated zero-emission vehicle sales. The letter, obtained by The Fast Charge newsletter via a freedom of information request and shared with the Guardian, argues for allowing 'highly efficient ICE, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, range extenders and combustion engines using green steel and sustainable fuels.' Critics warn this would undermine climate goals.

The 2035 Ban: A Cornerstone of UK Climate Policy

The 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales is a cornerstone of the UK's strategy to cut carbon emissions. The government's Climate Change Committee identifies the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) as the single largest contributor to reducing UK carbon pollution in the next decade. However, successive governments have weakened battery EV policies. Labour introduced 'flexibilities' into electric vehicle targets up to 2030, and the government now considers further changes to the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate after intense lobbying.

Carmakers' Arguments and Industry Pushback

The carmakers claim an 'open technology approach' is needed to maintain consumer choice and protect jobs. They argue that hybrids and sustainable fuels can reduce emissions while the charging infrastructure catches up. But Polestar, an EV-only brand, strongly disagrees. Matt Galvin, managing director of Polestar UK, said: 'Reversing the transition to pure electric vehicles in the middle of a climate emergency would be a historic policy failure. The technology exists, consumers are embracing it and the economic case is becoming stronger every year.'

Key Technologies Proposed by Carmakers

• High-efficiency internal combustion engines (ICE) – still burn fossil fuels.
• Hybrids and plug-in hybrids – reduce but do not eliminate tailpipe CO2.
• Range extenders – small combustion engines that charge batteries, still produce emissions.
• Combustion engines using green steel and sustainable fuels – biofuels and e-fuels still emit CO2 when burned.

Comparison: EVs vs. ICE Vehicles by 2035

Environmental and Political Implications

Campaigners have heavily criticised the lobbying push. Greenpeace UK called it 'a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable.' The UK government's official position, as stated by a spokesperson, is that the 2035 ban is 'not up for negotiation.' Yet the ZEV mandate already includes flexibilities, and further weakening could slow the transition. The climate emergency requires rapid decarbonisation of transport, which accounts for over a quarter of UK emissions.

Bullet List: Key Takeaways

• Major carmakers (BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Bosch) lobbied UK to revoke 2035 petrol/diesel ban.
• They propose an 'open technology approach' including hybrids and sustainable fuels.
• Polestar and environmental groups oppose any reversal, calling it a 'historic policy failure.'
• The UK government has already softened EV targets and may further amend the ZEV mandate.
• Switching to EVs remains the most effective way to cut transport emissions by 2035.

FAQ

In conclusion, the lobbying effort by major carmakers to revoke the 2035 petrol and diesel car ban highlights the tension between climate goals and industry interests. While the government currently insists the ban remains, ongoing policy flexibilities suggest the fight is far from over. For consumers, the direction is clear: electric vehicles are the future, but the pace of change may be influenced by political and corporate pressure.