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The Breakdown: Britain's petrol and diesel ban

Five things you need to know about the future of fossil-fuelled cars.

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The Breakdown: Britain's petrol and diesel ban


David McCowen

The Breakdown: Britain's petrol and diesel ban

David McCowen


What’s going on?

Britain briefly rocked the motoring world this week, announcing that it would ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.

The move follows a similar stance from France (as well as Germany, Norway and the Netherlands), which has set the same date as its target for an end to conventionally powered vehicles.

The UK decision could have been significant for Australia, as our supply of right-hand-drive cars is closely linked to what’s possible, popular and profitable in the world’s largest right-hand drive market.

But it is not as important as we first thought.

Why the big deal?

This is a big deal because there is real momentum behind the push to phase out petrol and diesel cars.

Air quality is an important public health issue for major cities, particularly in regions where diesel power is more popular than petrol.

British and European governments encouraged motorists to buy diesel cars using tax structures that favoured fuel economy over other environmental factors. Though diesel cars emit less C02 than petrol equivalents, they produce harmful particulates in greater numbers, as well as nitrogen oxides at the core of America’s diesel emissions complaint against the Volkswagen group.

But the news is less significant than originally thought as the British Government has since confirmed that hybrid-powered cars that use petrol and diesel fuel will not be banned. This could have been a real catalyst for change, sparking the mainstream growth of electric cars. Instead, it confirms the direction that car makers were already committed to.

Car companies are already working to introduce electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-fuelled cars in greater numbers - almost every major manufacturer has laid out plans to build alternative-fuel machines in the near future.

Volvo will come into compliance with the new rule in just 18 months, electing not to sell non-hybrid petrol or diesel models in 2019.

It’s disappointing to think Toyota could sell the current-generation Prius as-is beyond 2040 in the UK. But we expect car companies to push the limits of technology further than that well before the deadline arrives.

Who cares?

Regulators around the world should take notice, as increasing numbers of cities and states will look to follow European leaders in the drive for zero-emissions vehicles.

Environmental and health bodies should care, because this announcement is nowhere near as progressive as it could have been.

Car companies should care because it gives them a target to aim for.

Motorists should care because the variety of cars available to us will change, for better or worse.

Say what?

Britain’s department for environment:


UK transport secretary Chris Grayling:


Respected US motoring title Road & Track:

“It's a reflection of where the automotive industry is already headed... Make no mistake - gas- and diesel-powered cars have an expiration date, it's just further away than you might've thought.”

UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes, via UK outlet Autocar:

“What has been announced is consistent with what the industry and legislators have been working towards, so in terms of timing 2040 is not unreasonable. But putting a firm deadline on it does mean we are betting on the battery technology developing, the infrastructure being there and being robust to heavy use and that the consumer actually wants it.”

French president Emmanuel Macron:

"Make the planet great again.”

What next?

The UK followed France with its announcement, and it may choose to follow Paris’ implementation of the rule.

France will give buyers cash incentives to get rid of diesel cars made before 1997 and petrol cars built before 2001. The UK is reportedly considering a similar move to encourage people to drive more modern cars.

British authorities are also talking about removing road fixtures like speed bumps that cause cars to slow and accelerate, emitting more pollution than they would at a steady speed. Some experts have also recommended reductions in speed limits, particularly in regions where cars are allowed to travel at 130km/h or more on public motorways.

Don’t expect German autobahns to be unrestricted forever. Speaking of Germany, Mercedes-Benz is adamant that diesel engines have a significant role to play in road transport for years to come. The manufacturer has invested heavily in a new family of diesel engines, some of which will be available with high-voltage electrical infrastructure designed to support plug-in hybrids for many years.

There’s plenty of life left in the internal combustion engine.

But it’s only a matter of time before other governments follow Europe’s lead on the issue, and some will be more strict than London’s stance on the cars of the future.

British authorities got a quick PR win this week on an issue already being addressed by most elements of the car industry.

While ever there is a loophole that allows hybrid cars to remain on the road, motoring as we know it should look reasonably similar to what we have today.­­­

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