Banning petrol and diesel cars from 2030 could create 30,000 new jobs, Greenpeace says

Environmental group calls on Boris Johnson to take advantage of 'win-win’ policy

Greenpeace has argued that a fast transition to electric cars could boost the UK’s economy (Getty Images)

A ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2030 could create more than 30,000 jobs and provide a £4.2bn boost to the economy, according to a report by Greenpeace UK.

New petrol, diesel or hybrid cars in the UK will be banned from 2035 under government plans announced in February to help the country reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Research by the environmental organisation found bringing forward the ban by five years could create 32,000 new jobs by 2030 and increase GDP by 0.2 per cent.

The report, written by the research group Cambridge Econometrics on behalf of Greenpeace UK, used a government transport model and a macroeconomic model to predict the impact of a faster transition to electric vehicles on the UK’s economy.

It concluded that increases in employment and higher levels of economic activity brought about by the faster transition would give the government a £1.9bn net increase in revenue by 2030.

“Now more than ever, we need bold government policies that create new jobs and economic growth whilst driving the UK forward on climate action,” Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s policy director, said.

“Here — staring Boris Johnson right in the face — is one that will do just that, while making the UK a world leader in electric vehicle manufacturing.

“Delivered with the right policies, a 2030 phase out really would be win-win all round.”

The research comes ahead of an expected announcement by Mr Johnson on Thursday that could see the ban on petrol and diesel car sales brought forward.

The prime minister is understood to be considering bringing the ban forward to 2030 as part of a major speech on climate change this month, but there are concerns about a potential political backlash over the move.

Greenpeace UK has argued that a rapid transition to electric vehicles would create jobs across a range of sectors, such as energy, battery manufacturing and a mass roll-out of charging infrastructure.

The organisation also claims that new jobs would be created in service industries, such as retail, entertainment and leisure, due to increased disposable income spending brought about by decreasing the overall costs of owning and running an electric vehicle.