UK petrol ban countdown 2030 & 2035
The UK’s transition away from new petrol and diesel cars now has two important dates. New cars powered solely by petrol or diesel are due to be phased out from 2030, while all new cars and vans must be zero-emission from 2035.
April 2025 —% of the way there Phase-out milestone
January 2030
Under current government policy, mainstream new cars powered solely by an internal-combustion engine are due to be phased out. Hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid cars can continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035, subject to the applicable rules. Certain small-volume, micro-volume, special-purpose and kit vehicles have specific exemptions from the 2030 requirement.
This is the final current-policy endpoint. From 2035, new cars and vans are intended to be fully zero-emission. Existing petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles are not required to come off the road, and used vehicles can continue to be bought and sold.
What does the UK petrol and diesel phase-out actually mean?
There is no longer one simple “petrol ban in 2035”. Under current government policy there are two main stages.
2035: all new cars and vans must be zero-emission.
This distinction matters because hybrid cars can continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035 under the current policy. The 2030 phase-out also contains specific exemptions for some small-volume, micro-volume, special-purpose and kit-car manufacturers.
What changes in 2030?
From 1 January 2030, the government's current policy is to end the general sale of new cars powered solely by an internal-combustion engine. In practical terms, mainstream new pure petrol and pure diesel cars are the vehicles affected.
Hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles are permitted to continue to be sold during the transition from 2030 to 2035, subject to the emissions rules applying at that time.
The rule for vans is different. Current policy allows new non-zero-emission vans, including internal-combustion and hybrid vans, to continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035.
What changes in 2035?
From 1 January 2035, all new cars and vans are intended to be zero-emission. This is the final endpoint of the current transition policy.
That does not mean every petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle already on UK roads must disappear in 2035. The policy concerns new vehicles.
Timeline of the UK policy
What is the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate?
The ZEV Mandate sets annual targets for the proportion of a vehicle manufacturer's new registrations that must be zero-emission. The current headline trajectory for cars began at 22% in 2024, reaches 33% in 2026 and is scheduled to reach 80% in 2030 before the transition to 100% zero-emission new cars by 2035.
The mandate includes compliance flexibilities and its detailed pathway is being reviewed again in 2026. That is why it is better to describe this page as showing the current policy milestones rather than suggesting that no future government could change the rules.
Will petrol stations close in 2030 or 2035?
No national policy requires petrol stations to close on either date. Millions of petrol and diesel vehicles will remain on the road after the new-car phase-out dates and will continue to require fuel. Individual filling stations may change their services over time as vehicle use and demand change.
What happens to used petrol and diesel cars?
The new-vehicle phase-out does not prohibit the buying or selling of used petrol and diesel cars. Existing vehicles can continue to change ownership after 2030 and 2035.
Frequently asked questions
When is the UK petrol car ban?
It is more accurate to describe the policy as a two-stage phase-out. Under current policy, the general sale of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel is due to end from 1 January 2030. All new cars and vans are due to be zero-emission from 1 January 2035.
What petrol and diesel cars are affected in 2030?
The 2030 policy is aimed at new cars powered solely by an internal-combustion engine — in other words, mainstream new pure petrol and pure diesel cars. Specific exemptions apply to some small-volume and micro-volume manufacturers, special-purpose vehicles and kit cars.
Does the 2030 phase-out include hybrid cars?
Not under the current policy. Hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035, subject to the emissions and regulatory requirements applying during that period.
What happens to hybrids in 2035?
The current policy is that all new cars and vans must be zero-emission from 2035. That means new non-zero-emission hybrid vehicles would no longer form part of normal new-car sales after the 2035 endpoint.
Can I still drive my petrol or diesel car after 2030?
Yes. The policy concerns new vehicle sales and registrations. It does not require an existing petrol or diesel car to be scrapped or taken off the road in 2030.
Can I still drive my petrol or diesel car after 2035?
Yes. The 2035 endpoint also concerns new vehicles. Existing petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles can continue to be driven, insured and sold used, provided they remain legal and roadworthy.
Can I buy a used petrol car after 2035?
Yes. The current phase-out policy does not ban the second-hand sale of existing petrol or diesel cars. Used vehicles can continue to be bought and sold after 2035.
What happens to new vans in 2030?
The current 2030 pure internal-combustion phase-out applies differently to cars and vans. Government policy allows non-zero-emission vans, including internal-combustion and hybrid vans, to continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035. All new vans are due to become zero-emission from 2035.
Could the UK petrol and diesel phase-out dates change again?
Future governments can change transport policy and the detailed ZEV Mandate pathway is under review again in 2026. However, when announcing that review in August 2026, the government explicitly reiterated the 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and the 2035 goal for 100% zero-emission new car and van sales.
Should I switch to an EV before 2030?
The phase-out does not force an existing petrol or diesel owner to change vehicle by 2030. Whether an EV makes financial sense depends on purchase price, mileage, charging access, electricity cost and the vehicle being replaced. Use our EV vs petrol cost calculator to compare the energy costs using your own figures.