The Future of Petrol and Diesel Cars in the UK

As the world starts to move to cleaner and greener alternatives to help protect the environment, it is natural to ask what this shift will look like in practice. One of the most visible changes in the UK is happening on our roads. In 2022, cars and taxis were responsible for around 27% of the country’s total CO₂ emissions, making transport a large contributors to climate change.

To address this, the government has committed to phasing out new petrol and diesel cars over the next decade and replacing the with electric and other zero-emission vehicles. Whilst it promises environmental benefits, it also raises questions about costs, infrastructure and how the everyday driver will be affected.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): Cars powered entirely by petrol or diesel.


• Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs): Fully electric vehicles with no tailpipe emissions.


• Hybrid/Plug-In Hybrid (HEV/PHEV): Combines an electric motor with petrol or diesel power.


• Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate (ZEV Mandate): This is a UK regulation that requires manufacturers to sell an increasing share of EVs each year. There are financial penalties for non-compliance.

Why Are the UK Government Phasing Out Petrol and Diesel Cars?

The phasing out of petrol and diesel cars is part of the UK's wider net zero strategy, aiming for greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 - a goal that aligns with European regulations and wider international climate goals. It's about more than reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the vehicle themselves, but also about reshaping the country's wider transport system so that it plays a smaller role in the climate crisis.

The Debates

There are significant debates about what this transition will mean in practice particularly when it comes to the country's charging infrastructure as currently those who live in rural areas or in flats struggle with access. Having said that, the charging network is expanding at pace; as of August 2025, there were 85,163 electric vehicle chargers in the UK.

Cost is another concern as although electric cars can be cheaper to run, their upfront prices are higher than petrol, diesel or hybrid cars. The sentiment on the other side is though that the cost of EVs will have to fall if the government wants people to be buying them - if this doesn't happen the risk is people will buy ordinary cars second hand as this will still be legal.

Questions are also being raised around the environmental impact of battery production and the ability for the national grid to keep up with increased electricity demand.

The uncertainty and skepticism highlights that the phasing out is not without challenges.

The Industry

Car manufacturers have been actively consulted about the planned phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. To support this transition, the UK government has introduced a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell a growing percentage of zero-emission cars and vans each year. In 2024, the targets were set at 22% for cars and 10% for vans, with non-compliance resulting in a £15,000 fine per vehicle sold outside the mandate. For 2025, these targets have increased to 28% for cars and 16% for vans.

To further accelerate the shift, £2.3 billion has been invested to support manufacturers and the results are already visible. In 2024, the UK becomes Europe's largest EV market with over 382,000 electric vehicles sold.

What Does This Mean for Drivers?

For most drivers, the immediate impact will be limited. Petrol and diesel cars will still be legal to own and drive, and you will still be able to buy them second hand.

However, many drivers are already considering the long-term savings and lower running costs as well as the lower environmental impact that come with switching to an EV. Maintenance can be cheaper for electric cars and tax incentives such as salary sacrifice can make them more appealing.

Even after this comes into effect in 2030 and petrol and diesel cars are no longer up for sale, you will still be able to drive yours - there are no plans to ban them from the roads. Even after 2030, drivers will be able to buy second-hand internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, with rising fuel costs and environmental concerns, some drivers are already making the switch to EVs.

The Timeline

The timeline for the transition has been designed to give both consumers and manufacturers time to adapt.

In 2024 carmakers had to ensure 22% of car sales and 10% of van sales are EVs and if they missed this target they faced fines of £15,000 per vehicle sale pushing them outside the mandate.

By 2030 no new petrol or diesel-only cars will be sold in the UK.

In the years between 2030 to 2035, some hybrids may still be available to buy if they meet emissions standards.

From 2035 onwards all new cars and vans must be 100% zero-emission.

From 2035 and beyond petrol and diesel cars will still be legal to own, drive and buy second-hand.

It's possible to track how manufacturers are performing against these annual targets with the ZEV Mandate Tracker.

How Much Better for the Environment Are Electric Cars?

A typical petrol or diesel car in the UK emits about 1.39 tons of CO₂ per year, adding up to 16.7 tons over a 12-year lifespan. An equivalent electric car generates closer to 4.5 tons in the same period.

EVs tend to have higher emissions during production mainly due to battery manufacturing but these are usually offset within the first 10,500 miles of driving. Over their entire lifecycle, including manufacturing and electricity generation, EVs produce around 73% less CO₂ than petrol cars. In essence, switching from petrol to electric cuts roughly three-quarters of a driver’s carbon footprint over the lifetime of a car.

Breakdown Cover from Eversure

Breakdown insurance policies from Eversure are designed to give drivers peace of mind, whether you drive a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric vehicle. This means that as the UK government phases out petrol and diesel car sales, our cover means you don’t need to worry about whether your next car is powered by fuel or electricity.

We offer both single and annual trip policies with coverage options across the UK and Europe. Breaking down abroad in particular can be complicated and expensive which is why having breakdown cover is so important. A reliable provider ensures peace of mind wherever and whatever you drive.

Final Thoughts

The UK’s move toward zero-emission vehicles is accelerating and represents a significant shift in transport history. For drivers, the transition will not happen overnight, and petrol and diesel cars will remain a familiar sight on the roads for many years but this does not mean the balance is shifting towards cleaner transport.