UK petrol & diesel car phase-out countdown 2030 & 2035
Track the two main dates in the UK’s current new-car transition policy: the 2030 phase-out of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel, and the 2035 requirement for all new cars and vans to be fully zero-emission.
7 April 2025 —% Start of 2030
1 January 2030
Under current policy, from 2030 new mainstream cars powered solely by petrol or diesel are to be phased out. Hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035, alongside zero-emission vehicles. Specific exemptions apply to some micro-volume and small-volume manufacturers, special-purpose vehicles and kit cars.
The current policy endpoint is that all new cars and vans will be fully zero-emission from 2035. This does not require existing petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles to be removed from the road.
What do the 2030 and 2035 dates actually mean?
The current policy is better understood as a two-stage transition for new vehicles rather than a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles already on the road.
From 2035: all new cars and vans are to be fully zero-emission.
What changes from 2030?
Under the policy confirmed in April 2025, new cars powered solely by an internal-combustion engine are to be phased out from 2030.
Hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can continue to be sold from 2030 to 2035, alongside zero-emission vehicles.
There are specific 2030 exemptions for micro-volume and small-volume vehicle manufacturers, special-purpose vehicles and kit cars.
What about vans in 2030?
Vans are treated differently during the 2030 to 2035 transition.
Under the current policy, new internal-combustion vans, hybrid vans and plug-in hybrid vans can continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035.
What changes from 2035?
The stated policy endpoint is that all new cars and vans will be fully zero-emission from 2035.
The April 2025 government response states that this 2035 requirement also applies to manufacturers that receive exemptions from the 2030 pure-ICE car phase-out.
What is the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate?
The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate sets annual targets for the proportion of manufacturers’ new car and van registrations that must be zero-emission.
Under the current published trajectory, the headline targets rise to 80% for new cars and 70% for new vans in 2030.
Manufacturers have several compliance flexibilities, so the annual headline percentages should not be interpreted as a simple rule requiring exactly that percentage of each manufacturer’s retail sales to be electric in every circumstance.
Timeline of the policy
Can used petrol and diesel cars still be sold?
Yes. The current new-vehicle transition does not prohibit the second-hand sale of existing petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles.
Will petrol stations close in 2030?
There is no national policy requiring filling stations to close in 2030 or 2035. Existing petrol and diesel vehicles will remain in use after those dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is petrol actually being banned in the UK in 2030?
The current policy is a phase-out of mainstream new cars powered solely by internal-combustion engines from 2030. It is not a ban on existing petrol or diesel cars.
Can I still drive a petrol or diesel car after 2030?
Yes. The 2030 policy concerns new cars. It does not require an existing petrol or diesel vehicle to be scrapped or taken off the road.
Can I still drive one after 2035?
Yes. The 2035 policy also concerns new vehicles. Existing petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles can remain in use provided they meet the normal legal and roadworthiness requirements.
Can hybrids still be sold after 2030?
Under the current policy, hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can continue to be sold between 2030 and 2035.
What happens to new vans in 2030?
Vans have different transition rules. Current policy allows new internal-combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vans to continue to be sold from 2030 until the 2035 zero-emission endpoint.
What happens in 2035?
The current government policy is for all new cars and vans to be fully zero-emission from 2035.
Can I buy a used petrol car after 2035?
Yes. The new-vehicle phase-out does not prohibit the normal second-hand sale of existing petrol or diesel cars.
What is the 2026 ZEV target?
The current headline target is 33% for new cars and 24% for new vans. Manufacturers also have compliance flexibilities under the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes.
Are the ZEV targets being reviewed?
Yes. A government consultation opened on 14 August 2026 and runs until 23 October 2026. It considers the yearly targets, compliance flexibilities and other possible approaches.
Could the 2030 or 2035 policy change?
Government transport policy and regulations can be changed in the future. As of this page’s review on 17 September 2026, the government continues to state the 2030 phase-out and 2035 zero-emission endpoint.
Do I need to switch to an EV before 2030?
The phase-out does not require an existing petrol or diesel owner to replace their vehicle by 2030. If you are comparing running costs, use the EV vs petrol cost calculator with your own mileage and energy prices.