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

Major carmakers have privately lobbied the UK government to revoke the 2035 petrol and diesel car ban, according to newly revealed documents obtained by The Fast Charge newsletter. The joint letter from BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and parts maker Bosch calls for an "open technology approach" allowing internal combustion engines, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids beyond 2035. This lobbying effort threatens a cornerstone policy in the UK's net-zero strategy.

Why Carmakers Want to Delay the Ban

The manufacturers argue that highly efficient ICE vehicles, hybrid systems, and even combustion engines using green steel and sustainable fuels should remain on sale after 2035. However, all these technologies still produce carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants. The companies claim that a rapid transition to full electric vehicles (EVs) could harm consumer choice and industry competitiveness. Yet environmental experts warn that any flexibility undermines the UK's climate commitments.

Impact on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate

Successive UK governments have already weakened battery EV policies. Labour introduced "flexibilities" into the ZEV mandate leading up to 2030, and further changes are now under consideration after heavy lobbying. Polestar, an all-EV brand, strongly criticised the proposal, with its UK managing director Matt Galvin calling a reversal "a historic policy failure.

Key Takeaways for UK Drivers and Policymakers

• The 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars is a critical policy for meeting UK net-zero targets by 2050.
• Carmakers are lobbying for an open technology approach that would allow hybrid and combustion engines beyond 2035.
• The UK government has already added flexibilities to EV targets, raising concerns about enforcement.
• Environmental campaigners and EV-only brands like Polestar argue that reversing the ban would be a major setback.
• Consumers may face uncertainty about which vehicle types to invest in for the long term.

What This Means for the EV Transition

The switch to electric vehicles is the single biggest contributor to cutting UK carbon pollution in the next decade, according to the Climate Change Committee. Allowing hybrids and petrol cars to continue would slow this transition and risk missing legally binding emissions targets. While carmakers cite consumer readiness and infrastructure gaps, critics point out that delaying only postpones inevitable change and harms UK competitiveness in the global EV market.

FAQ

As the debate intensifies, UK drivers face uncertain vehicle choices. Staying informed on the 2035 petrol and diesel car ban and related policy changes is essential for anyone planning their next car purchase or concerned about climate action.