The new UK Government has committed to bringing forward the ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine cars, meaning petrol and diesel models, from 2035 to 20301. The commitment was reported by Consumer Scotland, the statutory body for consumers in Scotland, in a report on electric vehicle experience published on 11 August 20241. The current policy is accompanied by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, which sets progressively higher interim targets for new vehicle sales1.
"The new UK Government has committed to bringing forward the ban on sale of new internal combustion engine (i.e. petrol and diesel) cars from 2035 to 2030."
The report sets out how far the private car fleet in Scotland is from the 2030 position. Of around 2.4 million private cars in Scotland at the end of March 2024, only 34,254 were fully electric, which is less than 1.4% of all privately registered cars1. Across the UK, EV sales accounted for over 16% of all new vehicles sold in 2023, just over 300,000 new EVs from an overall total of just over 2 million vehicles1. Consumer Scotland notes that the majority of those are commercial and business fleet vehicles, many of which reach private drivers when about three years old1.
The report also describes the circumstances of current EV drivers, based on an online survey of 463 EV drivers and 204 drivers who would consider buying an EV, with fieldwork carried out between 20 March and 14 April 20241. It found that 80% of EV drivers tend to charge at home via their retail energy supply, and that three quarters live in circumstances that allow them to charge at home1. Around half of all households in Scotland live in circumstances where charging at home is not likely to be an option, concentrated in urban areas1. The report states that 60% of drivers surveyed had household incomes over £60,000, against its own analysis of Households Below Average Income data finding that just 25% of Scottish households have incomes over £60,000, and a Scottish median household income of £35,0481.
Scottish Government policy aims for a 56% reduction in transport carbon emissions by 2030 and complete decarbonisation by 2045, alongside a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled by 20301. Consumer Scotland states it has been estimated that through natural fleet turnover fossil fuel vehicles will be almost removed from Scottish roads by 20451.
Why it matters for households
The date of the ban determines when a household buying a new car will no longer be able to choose a petrol or diesel model, and the mandate sets the share of new sales that must be zero emission before then. For a home's energy independence, the practical question is where the car is charged. Consumer Scotland found that charging at home is viewed as essential by many drivers, offering lower costs, particularly with time of use tariffs, and high convenience, while public network charging fees are at best comparable to, and can be more expensive than, fuelling petrol or diesel vehicles1. It adds that around half of Scottish households are unlikely to be able to charge at home, and that the difference in experience between home and public charging risks producing future inequality as more people without home charging move to EVs1. The report also notes that if EV charging added to current peak demand, the investment needed would be considerably greater than if most charging happens overnight, when demand is lower and generally has lower carbon intensity1.
What happens next
The report gives no further dated steps on the ban itself. It states that the current policy is accompanied by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, which sets progressively higher interim targets for new vehicle sales1. The petrol and diesel car ban is the subject of ongoing regulation and policy work; no further timetable has been reported.