Petrol and diesel cars will likely remain on British roads for another two decades despite Labour pushing for a 2030 ban on brand-new polluting vehicles.
Experts at online sales firm Motorway stressed combustion models would not disappear anytime soon with traditional cars likely to remain on UK roads until at least 2048”.
According to the experts, the average lifespan of brand-new petrol and diesel cars is 14 years.
With no ban on second-hand and used vehicles coming into effect, it means motorists who purchase a brand new model ahead of the deadline will face no immediate problems.
It means these individuals can run their cars until halfway through the century without having to make the transition to EVs.
Motorway said: “You won’t be required to scrap your existing petrol or diesel car in 2035. The ban on petrol and diesel cars applies exclusively to the sale of new vehicles powered by combustion engines.
“The average lifespan of a car is about 14 years. This means that new petrol and diesel cars purchased in the latter end of 2034 could feasibly remain on the roads until at least 2048.”
The UK’s petrol and diesel new car sales ban is set for 2035 after the Conservatives pushed back the legislation by five years.
However, Labour has promised to bring the date forward with officials currently consulting with the industry on how to achieve this goal.
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According to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, their plan will "restore clarity for manufacturers and ”give confidence to consumers”.
Ms Haigh added: “No new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030. All new cars and vans will need to be 100% zero emission by 2035.
“The need to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels has never been clearer, and the transition to zero-emission vehicles will play a critical role in quickly reducing carbon emissions and improving our energy security.”
Officials at electric vehicle expats PodPoint have previously revealed second-hand vehicles will not be in the firing line.
They explained: “The ban doesn’t impact existing diesel and petrol car owners, hybrid cars or people using LPG.
“These vehicles are still allowed to drive on the road and can still be purchased and sold second-hand - at least for the foreseeable future.”
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