Government recommits to the 2030 petrol and diesel ban
If you’ve been driving for a few years – or even just keeping up with motoring headlines – you’ve likely heard about the UK's ambitious plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. Initially set for 2040, the deadline has been moved back and forth a fair few times. Right now, the target is 2030. Despite delays and political changes, the Labour government, following their election win in July 2024, has now reaffirmed this goal, pledging to accelerate the UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
This ban applies to new cars and vans, and while it’s a big step towards decarbonising the transport sector, it doesn’t apply to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) just yet. For the haulage and logistics industry – still very much reliant on diesel fleets – the change will come later. So, while a cleaner future for UK transport is certainly on the horizon, there’s still a way to go, especially with infrastructure challenges like the current shortage of charging stations across the UK.
The petrol and diesel ban timeline so far
July 2017: The Conservative government sets an initial ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, with a deadline of 2040.
February 2020: At the Cop26 Climate Conference, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson sets a more ambitious target for 2035.
November 2020: Johnson revises the goal again, now aiming for 2030.
September 2023: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushes the deadline back to 2035, a move many saw as a setback for climate efforts.
January 2024: The Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate is implemented, reinforcing quotas for electric vehicle sales.
July 2024: Labour wins the general election and recommits to the 2030 petrol and diesel ban for cars, excluding vans.
Transitioning to greener transport methods
The government's recommitment to the 2030 ban underscores the ongoing need for more investment in EV infrastructure, but for now, the logistics sector remains reliant on traditional fuels. And with current challenges – like the shortage of charging stations – HGVs powered by diesel and petrol will still be on our roads for some time.
In the meantime, with fuel prices remaining high, protecting your HGVs’ fuel supplies is more important than ever. Fuel theft continues to be a major issue for the UK’s haulage and logistics industry, costing the economy an estimated £10 billion annually. For businesses, the financial hit is even more direct – not just in the immediate loss, but with indirect costs like higher insurance premiums.
That’s where we come in at TankSafe! We’re dedicated to helping you avoid these unnecessary losses. That’s why we’ve developed our TankSafe Optimum solution, designed specifically to safeguard your fuel.
How TankSafe protects your fleet
Even though the industry is slowly shifting towards greener alternatives, it’s critical to protect your fuel right now. Our advanced anti-siphoning solutions give you peace of mind by offering:
Advanced security features. Our products are tamper-proof and include real-time fuel monitoring, making fuel syphoning much harder.
Cost efficiency. Preventing fuel theft saves money and allows you to better allocate your budget.
Reduced risk. Protecting fuel helps you avoid the costs of rising insurance premiums and other unexpected expenses.
You can read more about how TankSafe Optimum works, or feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Just give us a call on 01253 400 401, and we’ll be happy to help however we can!