We, the undersigned, call on the Government to rethink the plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 (and all new cars by 2035) and to offer an alternative that allows those who currently rely on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to continue purchasing them — albeit at a slightly higher price if necessary — rather than facing an outright prohibition of choice.

Currently the Government has set out a path whereby new petrol and diesel-only cars will be phased out, with zero-emission vehicles (EVs) becoming the only option for new car sales by 2035.   While the objective of reducing CO₂ emissions and pollution is understandable, the policy as it stands fails to take into full account the realities many motorists face.

First, a large portion of drivers do not have access to off-street parking or a driveway where they can reliably charge an electric vehicle overnight. For those who live in flats, terraced homes with no garage, or on-street parking only, switching to an EV is far more challenging. This creates an unfair disadvantage to a large segment of the population.

Second, although electric cars have advantages, they carry risks: in the event of a crash the battery can render the car uneconomical to repair, leading insurers and manufacturers often to write the car off when in a petrol/diesel equivalent the vehicle may be repairable and remain in use for many more miles. Also, the environmental cost of manufacturing large batteries is significant — some studies suggest building an EV battery can have a carbon-equivalent impact similar to running a petrol/diesel car for tens of thousands of miles before the break-even point. The blanket ban fails to recognise that keeping a well-maintained petrol/diesel car on the road may in some cases be less damaging than scrapping and replacing it prematurely.

Third, many motorists still use petrol/diesel cars for everyday needs such as motorway driving (70%+ of journeys) at 70mph, covering 10-20 miles or more per trip. Their current ICE vehicles serve reliably and cost-effectively. For those who rely on daily use, the ban threatens to force them into an EV when their real-world conditions (charging, cost, infrastructure) are not yet ready.

Therefore, we ask the Government to adopt a more pragmatic and equitable approach: allow the continued sale of petrol and diesel cars beyond the current ban date, but impose a modest price premium (or tax) on those vehicles to reflect their higher emissions and incentivise electric uptake — rather than banning them outright. This approach preserves consumer choice and fairness for those who cannot yet feasibly switch to EVs, while still aligning with emission-reduction goals.

By offering a hybrid policy — continued ICE car sales albeit at a higher cost, alongside support for EV infrastructure and second-hand ICE markets — the Government can better balance environmental ambition with social equity, practical realities and reliability for drivers.

We therefore ask you to sign this petition and support a policy rethink that is fair, feasible and forward-looking.