Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Picture courtesy of ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock

 

In a bold move, the Conservative Party has announced plans to scrap the forthcoming ban on petrol and diesel vehicles should they win the next election. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed this in an article for the Sunday Telegraph, criticising the zero-emission vehicle mandate as ultimately destructive. This comes as the UK pushes for all new cars to be electric or hybrid by 2030 to meet its "net zero" target by 2050.

 

Badenoch's comments follow her discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has encouraged the EU to soften its stance on petrol and diesel car bans. Recently, six EU countries, including Italy, urged reconsideration of the 2035 petrol car phase-out, citing potential harm to industrial competitiveness. Badenoch argues that the EU's apparent change of direction on electric vehicles could leave the UK's opposition Labour Party isolated and harm domestic industry.

 

Despite proposing to scrap the mandate, Badenoch emphasised the Conservatives' intent to transition to cleaner transport, focusing on affordability and practicality rather than strict mandates. She believes the move could provide the breathing space needed to revitalise the UK's car industry. The UK's car sector remains divided, with some firms seeking more support to meet the 2030 deadline.

 

The latest Budget pledged an additional £1.3 billion to the UK's Electric Car Grant scheme to encourage the adoption of EVs. Additionally, from April 2028, drivers of electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, will face a 3p per mile charge under the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty, which may affect the appeal of electric cars.

 

The ban on petrol and diesel cars was initially introduced by Boris Johnson in 2020 and later postponed to 2035 by Rishi Sunak. Labour aims to expedite the ban in its 2024 manifesto. A Department for Transport spokesman reiterated the government's commitment to phasing out new non-zero emission cars, noting the growing number of electric car buyers, reported the BBC.

 

The prime minister can call the next UK general election earlier.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The Tories plan to scrap the petrol car ban if they win the next election.
• Badenoch suggests focusing on affordable and practical transport solutions.
• The UK’s car industry is divided on meeting the proposed 2030 deadline.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-15

 

 

 

"This comes as the UK pushes for all new cars to be electric or hybrid by 2030 to meet its "net zero" target by 2050." Baring in mind the next election wont be until 2029 it will be to late in the day to continue with ICE cars.

2 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Baring in mind the next election wont be until 2029 it will be to late in the day to continue with ICE cars.

 

Assuming Labour can last that long. 

 

Reform will form the next government anyway so all that matters is their policy, not the Tories. I'm sure the manufacturers are aware of this. They will build what people want to buy, and now that most of the incentives for electric vehicles have (predictably) been withdrawn, the demand for ICE will remain strong. 

 

Since they will still be making hybrids, it will be easy to make fully ICE since an internal combustion engine is still very much at the heart of hybrid vehicles. Mild hybrids can often run without the batteries. 

Look at what the move towards NetZero has done to Germany.  

Soon Admiral Greta will be asking for a consultation with Ms Badenoch.

Its a moot point, the chances of the Conservatives winning the next election, are slim to none!

Electoral Calculus gives them a 7% probability of being the largest party, 6% for a minority government, and 1% for a majority.

electoralcalculus.co.uk

I wonder which car manufacturer has just paid a large donation.

On 12/15/2025 at 4:38 AM, webfact said:

In a bold move, the Conservative Party has announced plans to scrap the forthcoming ban on petrol and diesel vehicles should they win the next election. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed this in an article for the Sunday Telegraph, criticising the zero-emission vehicle mandate as ultimately destructive.

They are unbelievable. Trying to score political points by announcing that if they are voted in they are promising to scrap a ban that they brought in in the first place. Calling it "destructive" - IT WAS THEIR IDEA!!

Pathetic.

12 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Reform will form the next government anyway so all that matters is their policy, not the Tories.

You may not have noticed but Reform don't actually have any policies. Policy number one: bang on about boats. Policy number two: bang on about boats.

You can even see it in the councils they've been elected to: they don't turn up, they quit, their councils are generally in a shambles as they have no idea - or will - to do anything other than bang on about boats. A reform government would be a complete and utterly unthinkable disaster. 

The O&G lobby are getting their money’s worth.

45 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

You may not have noticed but Reform don't actually have any policies. Policy number one: bang on about boats. Policy number two: bang on about boats.

You can even see it in the councils they've been elected to: they don't turn up, they quit, their councils are generally in a shambles as they have no idea - or will - to do anything other than bang on about boats. A reform government would be a complete and utterly unthinkable disaster. 

 

They only need one policy. 

 

Not being Labour. 

24 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

They only need one policy. 

 

Not being Labour. 

Didn't work for the Tories did it? 

Landslide. 

13 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Didn't work for the Tories did it? 

Landslide. 

how's it going for two tier kier? has his popularity improved?  If I heard correctly he wasn't doing so well 

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

They are unbelievable. Trying to score political points by announcing that if they are voted in they are promising to scrap a ban that they brought in in the first place. Calling it "destructive" - IT WAS THEIR IDEA!!

Pathetic.

Ssssshhhhhhhh you will give the game away.

 

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

how's it going for two tier kier? has his popularity improved?  If I heard correctly he wasn't doing so well 

He's doing ok. Still in power, still with the same majority.

They are making tough necessary decisions at the beginning of their tenure and can ride out the unpopularity. Then I fully expect them to sweeten things for people once they have somewhat fixed the mess they were left with by a Conservative party that was too terrified to make necessary - but unpopular - decisions.

Let's see where things are two years from now, that is a fair time to reflect on performance, not knee jerk "two tier Kier" nonsense.

23 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

He's doing ok. Still in power, still with the same majority.

They are making tough necessary decisions at the beginning of their tenure and can ride out the unpopularity. Then I fully expect them to sweeten things for people once they have somewhat fixed the mess they were left with by a Conservative party that was too terrified to make necessary - but unpopular - decisions.

Let's see where things are two years from now, that is a fair time to reflect on performance, not knee jerk "two tier Kier" nonsense.

Do you seriously think that in two years things might have started to look better? There is still the problem that they are a bunch of incompetent morons. I before you accuse me of being far right I voted for these cretins.

On 12/16/2025 at 9:44 PM, josephbloggs said:

Didn't work for the Tories did it? 

Landslide. 

 

Worked for Labour.

 

They won by not being the Tories.

 

Unfortunately they have proven themselves to be far worse. This could well prove to be the last Labour government we ever see. Let's hope so.