Ban on buying new petrol cars after 2030 is not enough to meet green targets, RAC Foundation says

The ban on buying new petrol cars after 2030 will not be enough to meet the green targets because polluting vehicles bought today are ‘very likely’ to still be in use, according to the RAC Foundation.

According to the police, one in five cars is 13 years or older Sunday Times – twice as many as ten years ago.

Vehicles have become less prone to corrosion and serious mechanical failures, while the cost of living crisis has made buying a car, even second-hand, less affordable.

Steve Gooding, director of RAC, said cars bought today are ‘very likely’ to be in use even after 2030. This means if buyers choose not to go electric now, their purchase will have an impact on the environment .

“For those thinking about going electric but hesitant, perhaps put off by the upfront price, there is a reason to pause and see how things develop over the next two years, rather than reverting to petrol,” said Gooding. .

In 2022, petrol cars had a market share of 43 percent, while sales of electric cars were 17 percent.

Mr Gooding added that car buyers sticking to petrol or diesel should go for ‘the greenest, cleanest model they can’. He noted that any car that runs on fossil fuels today will be with us for at least a decade.

The RAC Foundation has urged the government to encourage new car buyers to go electric, or at least choose a low-emissions vehicle.

Electric cars can cost less to run and most experts agree they are better for the planet.

Most new electric cars have an official range of at least 240 kilometers. 200 miles plus is common and some can go over 400 miles on a full charge.