No petrol or diesel cars by 2030 is a ballsy target

The motor industry trade body thinks it’s feasible but a lot more needs to be done to reach what now seems impossible, writes Chris Blackhurst

In 2030 no new cars sold in Britain can be petrol or diesel, in accordance with the country’s climate-change commitments (Getty/iStock)

Last year was the second-worst year since 1992 for new car sales. So says the UK’s motor industry trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, or SMMT.

The reasons proffered for the dismal performance are the continuing impact of Covid and a shortage of semiconductors, which are used extensively in modern vehicle manufacturing.

Wait, there is good news: 2021 was the “most successful year in history” for electric vehicle uptake, as more new, battery-powered vehicles were registered “than over the previous five years combined”.