Starmer set to lift ban on hybrid car sales
March 14, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to relax the UK’s planned 2030 ban on some hybrid car sales, following concerns that tight EV sales targets are putting pressure on manufacturers.
The government had previously proposed laws to restrict the sale of hybrids with higher CO2 emissions after 2030, when sales of pure petrol and diesel cars will also be banned.
Under these regulations, models such as the Range Rover Evoque and Ford Puma could have been removed from the market due to their higher emissions, even though they still outperform some traditional petrol cars in terms of environmental impact.
However, amid mounting pressure from car manufacturers, who argue that the restrictions could harm investment in the UK, the Department for Transport is now rethinking its position.
A Whitehall source quoted by The Telegraph found that “everything is on the table”. This suggests that the government may allow the continued sale of a wider range of hybrid models, potentially until 2035.
At the end of 2024, the government proposed new laws that, at their most extreme, would limit per-car CO2 emissions to 115g/km from 2030. These proposed changes would have severely impacted popular hybrid models such as the Ford Puma, Volkswagen Golf, and Nissan Qashqai.
Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is lobbying for a more flexible approach. They argue that hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen vehicles all play crucial roles in the UK’s transition to zero-emission transport.
Carmakers, including major hybrid advocates such as Toyota, warn that limiting hybrid sales could discourage investment in the UK at a time when the industry needs it most. They also argue that hybrids offer a bridge to full EV adoption, particularly for markets where EV infrastructure is still catching up.
The SMMT is also urging the government to introduce tax incentives, such as VAT relief, to stimulate EV demand and ensure the country stays on track to meet its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The group believes that such measures could increase sales from 1.8 million to more than 2 million EVs between 2025 and 2027.
As the debate continues, the government faces a delicate balancing act between meeting ambitious emissions targets and maintaining the competitiveness of the UK’s automotive sector.
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