The Government has backed away from plans to completely ban non-electric vehicles by 2030, with proposals to allow the use of hybrid cars for longer.
Ministers had said they would reinstate a 2030 ban on sales of new cars running solely on petrol or diesel, reversing a decision by the Tory government to extend the deadline to 2035.
However, sales of hybrid vehicles will be allowed until 2035 under the green transition plans.
Hybrid vehicles have combustion engines as well as chargeable batteries, enabling them to switch between fuel and electricity.
In its election manifesto, Labour said it would restore “the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines”.
However, the Department for Transport has previously denied the decision to continue longer with hybrid vehicles amounted to a watering down of its commitments.
The Government said that a consultation, to be launched on Tuesday and running for eight weeks, would “restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry”.
It will look at updating rules setting out the percentage of green vehicles that manufacturers will be required to sell each year, and consider whether targets could be loosened If companies “make up for it in other ways,” the Government said.
The Department for Transport said the consultation was “focused on how, not if, we reach the 2030 target”. But it added that the process would offer manufacturers the chance to give a view on “which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035”.
Ministers will also consult on how to increase the uptake of zero emission vans.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Over the last few years, our automotive industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This Government will change that.
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Read More“Drivers are already embracing EVs faster than ever, with one in four new cars sold in November electric.
“Today’s measures will help us capitalise on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower, and rebuild Britain”.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities.
“We are steadfast in our mission to help our world-leading automotive industry thrive, and this consultation will look at how we can support manufacturers, investors, and the wider industry to reach their targets.
“This Government is backing the auto sector with £2bn to support our domestic manufacturers to transition to zero emission vehicles and over £300m to drive consumer uptake”.
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