PRA warns of 2035 ban pitfalls
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has highlighted a number of barriers to meeting the government ban of new petrol, diesel and hybrid sales from 2035.
It’s cited range, price and infrastructure among the key obstacles for the industry and consumers.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA, said: “Ending the sale of new petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars and vans by 2035 or earlier would not only be unfeasible but seriously economically damaging, particularly at a time when the economy is struggling to recover from the coronavirus lockdown. The original date of 2040 is already a very tough ask.”
It has said that unless prices come down steeply electric vehicles will only be available to well-off drivers, while the limited ranged on models means the policy is only viable in dense metropolitan areas.
It added the longer charge times will make the current business model of petrol filling stations, which rely on a fast turnaround, unfeasible, and even those considering installing ultra-rapid charging points on their sites but have abandoned plans because of a lack of suitable local sub-stations that provide enough power.
Madderson added: “In addition to the numerous challenges facing businesses and consumers, banning the sale of hybrids will be counterproductive to achieving the policy’s goals. It will remove an important bridge between the internal combustion engine focused automotive market and the market for electric vehicles. People who take long journeys will be incentivised to keep their internal combustion engine vehicles running for as long as possible.
“Going forward, measures to reduce the cost of EVs for the consumer will be essential. Grants and tax incentives will also be required to take investing in EV infrastructure at petrol filling stations from a speculative and risky endeavour to one that has a solid business case.
“There are over 100,000 people employed in petrol filling stations across the country and the current policy would inevitably encourage the closure of petrol stations and lead to consequent job losses across the sector.
“The government must have a coherent strategy to address the significant barriers to the adoption of EVs or even the original 2040 policy will be extremely difficult to implement.”
