The government’s petrol and diesel ban
The government has plans to make all new cars in the UK, zero emission by 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution.
Diesel vehicles produce the majority of nitrogen oxide gases on the road which contributes greatly to air pollution. The government was ordered by the courts to come up with a new plan to tackle illegal levels of this pollutant which has resulted in the ban of all sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040.
Hybrid vehicles, using a combination of petrol and electric motors, will not be included in the sales ban.
How will this affect classic cars?
A lot of people expressed concerns that this could spell the end of the road for the classic car movement as older vehicles are hardly the cleanest. However, the ban means that no diesel and petrol cars will be able to be manufactured and sold. It does not cover existing diesel and petrol vehicles so as it stands there will be no ban on owning or selling classic cars.
However, there may be some changes that could indirectly affect classic cars.
The government could change the way fuel is taxed to make up for losing billions of pounds at the pump resulting in higher prices when filling up classic cars.
Some environmental campaigners want to create ‘clean air zones’ within some of the most highly polluted and congested towns and cities to reduce harmful emissions. Councils would be in charge of imposing these zones and could either block certain vehicles from entering or charge drivers a fee. But with most classic car owners preferring to take their vehicles out for a spin on quieter, more scenic routes, this may not affect classic car enthusiasts.
The ban could actually have a positive effect on the classic car industry. Petrolheads will have to turn to classic cars in order to get their fix once the ban comes into place. There could be a bigger market for heritage experiences and driving days dedicated to classic cars.
The move could also see many modern or future classic being saved from extinction, and they could even be held in museums and celebrated for years to come.
