Labour is urging the government to bring forward the phasing out of petrol cars to help the UK meet its climate targets and reduce air pollution
The party says the government’s current plans for a ban on new petrol and diesel cars beginning in 2035 do not go far enough and that ministers also need to explain what action it will take to physically achieve their goal.
The government was previously planning to ban the sale of new petrol cars from 2040, but in February Boris Johnson announced that the ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars would actually come in in 2035 – just 15 years away.
Dozens of Conservative MPs in the moderate “One Nation” groups said last month that they want the government to move more quickly on restricting petrol cars.
Matthew Pennycook, Labour shadow climate change minister, said an enhanced 2030 target was “ambitious but achievable”, while environmentalists also welcomed the plan.
Rebecca Newsom, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said: “Hats off to Labour for backing a 2030 ban for all new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans.
“They have joined the chorus of businesses and councils that have also been calling for a more ambitious phase out date and policies to support workers to transition, in order to dramatically reduce emissions and help secure a future for the UK automotive industry.
“Now that Labour and over 100 Conservative MPs have thrown down the gauntlet, will the government live up to their claims of being a world leader on climate, and back a 2030 ban too?”
The proposal is a slight strengthening of similar plans in Labour 2019 manifesto, which said the party would “aim” for 2030 without a solid commitment to put it into law.
Shadow minister Mr Penncook said: “2030 is an ambitious but achievable date by which to phase out the sale of new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles, one that would give a new lease of life to the UK car industry, whilst combatting climate breakdown and cleaning up the air that dangerously pollutes so many of our towns and cities.
“But as well as accelerating the phase out, the Government must also set out a credible plan to get there – one that backs the low-carbon jobs and industries of the future and ensures that workers and communities are properly supported in the transition to a fairer and cleaner economy.
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“It’s time for Ministers to seize this opportunity as part of a world-leading green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, creating good jobs across the country, and generating real momentum for next year’s COP26 climate summit.”
Labour shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said the government needed to show “greater climate leadership” and should “match the rhetoric with action”.
He said a 2030 phase-out was “the right thing to do environmentally and will create jobs across the country”.
