Ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 – AA comments

Commenting on the Government’s 10-point plan which includes bringing forward the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales to 2030, Edmund King, AA president, says: “The 2030 target is incredibly ambitious, but the transformation to electric cars is welcome.

“Consistently, the barriers to EV ownership are: the initial cost of the car and availability, perceived single-charge range anxiety and charging infrastructure – particularly for the third of drivers without off-street parking. If we can tackle these issues with considerable investment and focus, the electric revolution could flourish.

“We are pleased that the package of measures announced is more than just a date in the diary. By investing heavily in the national charging network, battery production and providing incentives will help.

“The concession for hybrids will be a welcome stepping stone for fleets and individuals before going fully electric.

“One of the biggest challenges will be for car makers to change more than 100 years of combustion engine production to cater for an electric future within a decade.”