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If you live in the United Kingdom and own a diesel or petrol car, you need to switch to a safer, cleaner vehicle before the year 2030.
Around two years ago, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK government’s plan to completely stop selling diesel- and petrol-powered vehicles starting 2030. This is in line with the green industrial revolution, which has a 10-point plan intended to strengthen the fight against climate change while also opening up about 250,000 jobs.
The prime minister made the announcement through the UK government’s website, in an article featured in the Financial Times. According to the article, the focus areas include offshore wind and nuclear energy, low-carbon hydrogen generation, and carbon capture and storage, among others.
As for the ban on diesel and petrol vehicles, initial plans were to end the sale of such automotive products by the year 2040. Authorities later changed the target and announced that the said plan will be implemented earlier, by 2035.
Prime Minister Johnson’s latest announcement moves the target year to 2030, a decision that came about after the government held several extensive meetings and consultations with sellers and manufacturers.
An exemption to the rule is hybrid vans and cars, which sellers and manufacturers can sell but only if they can drive certain distances without emitting dangerous levels of CO2. However, there is a possibility that by the year 2035, all hybrid cars, which have two sources of motive power – traditional motors and electric batteries – will no longer be sold.
The government is doing its best to encourage vehicle owners to switch to electric cars. Although sales have gone up and continue to rise, the number of vehicles sold throughout the UK is still way below the general goal.
As such, the government needs to come up with enough funding for charging infrastructure and to entice motorists to start using electric cars. Compared to diesel and petrol vehicles, electric cars are cleaner and safer; the only problem is they come with expensive price tags. A £500 million funding grant from the government was supposed to be rolled out last year (2021). It still is the plan.
Of the £500 million, £450 million will be used as LEVI or Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure fund intended to create more EV hubs and on-street charging stations. Government authorities also previously announced that £950 million will be allotted to the Rapid Charging Fund that’s beneficial for the rollout of approximately 6,000 superfast, high-powered chargepoints throughout the UK by the year 2035.
A LEVI fund pilot scheme was launched in March 2022. It allows UK (local) authorities to own a share of a £10 million-worth funding via bidding.
Infrastructure funding will open opportunities for creating new grid connections that will provide motorway service stations and other remote facilities with fast chargepoints.
Educate consumers
There is also a need to educate consumers who still do not understand the difference between hybrid vehicles that use traditional motors and electric cars with no engine and utilise batteries.
Educating is also an ideal strategy for helping consumers understand why going electric is better than driving around in diesel and petrol cars and vans.
Why diesel is bad
Diesel used to be seen in a different light than petrol vehicles. It used to be recognised as the cleaner and safer alternative to petrol. This changed, though, after the Dieselgate emissions scandal involving German carmaker Volkswagen broke in 2015.
The US Environmental Protection Agency summoned VW representatives after they discovered that the manufacturer installed defeat devices in diesel vehicles sold across the United States. Although VW initially denied the allegations, they eventually admitted to using the cheat device.
A defeat device is attached to diesel vehicles to automatically manipulate emissions when the vehicles are being tested. During lab tests, the device ensures that a vehicle’s emissions levels are kept within the limits set by the World Health Organization. When the vehicle is driven in real-world road conditions however, the device causes it to revert to its default settings, releasing levels of toxic nitrogen oxides that far exceed the mandated limits.
In light of this, it’s clear that VW and other car manufacturers involved in the scandal – including Mercedes-Benz – deliberately lied to their customers. They marketed the vehicles as safe and clean when in reality, these emit huge amounts of toxic air. The scandal soon reached the European market, including the UK.
For consumers to get back what they lost when they were mis-sold the vehicle, they need to file a diesel compensation claim. If you think your vehicle is affected by a defeat device, file a claim against your manufacturer first before switching to an electric car.
How it’s done
Many car owners ask: how do I file my diesel claim? It’s quite simple. First off, though, you have to verify that your vehicle is affected. Once that step is completed, you need to look for a panel of emissions solicitors who can work with and help you secure your claim.
The panel of solicitors at Emissions.co.uk are highly experienced and dedicated to help car owners like you win. They know what to do. Get in touch with them now and start working on your emissions claim. Let this be your first step towards switching to a safer, cleaner vehicle.
