UK to ban hybrid vehicles with sub 50 mile ranges?
Leaked draft document threatens most current hybrid vehicles
The Financial Times and Autocar state that the UK governments ‘Road to Zero’ car emissions strategy will be released imminently.
The document will give more detail into the governments previous statement that all new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2040. Shockingly though it also stated that any hybrid vehicles with an electric only range of 50 miles would be included in the ban.
This would include popular selling models such as the Toyota Prius and the popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. In fact it would affect 98% of all new vehicles sold. On average hybrids have a 30 mile electric only range.
The UK car industry has reacted to these unconfirmed reports. The SMMT car body stated that “misleading” government messages were damaging the industry and hitting jobs.
The Department of Transport has denied plans for a ban.
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “It is categorically untrue that government is planning to ban the sale of hybrid cars in the UK by 2040.”
The DfT added: “We do not comment on leaked draft documents. The Road to Zero Strategy is yet to be finalised and has not been agreed by ministers.”
Lack of clarity
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the industry was becoming increasingly concerned.
He criticised the lack of clarity over the government’s plans.
“Unrealistic targets and misleading messaging on bans will only undermine our efforts to realise this future, confusing consumers and wreaking havoc on the new car market and the thousands of jobs it supports,” Mr Hawes stated.
He said the industry shares the government’s goal of zero emission transport and was investing billions of pounds in new technologies and offering greater consumer choice.
He further added: “We cannot support ambition levels which do not appreciate how industry, the consumer or the market operate and which are based neither on fact nor substance.
“Consumers need clear information about the right vehicles for their driving needs and it is again disappointing for both industry and consumers that vitally important information about government policy is being communicated by leaks.”
Too soon or not ambitious enough?
Having discussed this at Electric Car Experts we believe the target is unambitious.
Electric car registrations are growing more rapidly than any other sector of the car industry, including hybrid vehicles. Diesel sales are suffering as consumers lack of trust in manufacturers and changing government policy has dented demand.
In addition the vital charging infrastructure is growing to meet demand. Utilising the home charging network through apps such as Bookmycharge will reduce the ‘range anxiety’ of potential owners.
Additionally the average age of UK cars is 6 years, 2040 gives nearly 4 life-cycles to reach the targeted range. With hybrid and electric only technology increasing ranges rapidly each year the 50 mile range will be achieved much sooner.
The basic facts show that the governments policy lacks ambition and could easily be more progressive.
The car industry also needs to embrace the future, the millennial generation will not accept push back. Visionaries such as Musk will dominate the future car landscape unless the laggards accept what is inevitable.
Good point Eamon, more rapid charging points and lower purchase costs will encourage buyers to get on board!
If the cost of batteries is £25,000 for a 240 mile range car, there is little appetite for adding another bank of batteries to a hybrid until the cost reduces significantly, meanwhile it is cheaper to extend the number of charging points ( I average over 70% of my travelling to ‘engine off’ mode a few more points and I can hit over 80%.