What Will Happen to Petrol Cars After 2030 and 2035?
Image source: Shutterstock
New petrol and diesel cars are due to stop being sold in the UK from 2030, not 2035, and full hybrids and plug-in hybrids are reported to stay on sale until 2035. Existing petrol and diesel cars stay legal to own, drive and sell second-hand. The ban applies to new car sales only.
This guide explains what will happen to petrol cars after 2030 and 2035, what it means for drivers and used cars, and how electric car salary sacrifice with The Electric Car Scheme can help employees and employers prepare.
Are Petrol and Diesel Cars Being Banned in the UK?
The ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars supports the UK's legally binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels by 2050.
The UK had 124,738 public charging devices across 48,298 locations at 30 September 2026, according to Zapmap.
The government has confirmed that the sale of new pure petrol and diesel cars ends in 2030, and its August 2026 review of the ZEV mandate states that this end date isn't changing. The 2035 date comes from a September 2023 delay that the government has since reversed for pure petrol and diesel cars, so it now applies to hybrids.
What Will the Ban on Petrol and Diesel Cars Look Like?
You will still be able to buy and sell petrol and diesel cars on the second-hand car market after the new car ban starts in 2030. The car ban is only on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, and, according to Auto Express, there is no prospect of a ban on the use or sale of existing cars. Cars already on the road will still be legal to own and drive.
Classic cars are unaffected for the same reason, and it will still be possible to buy and sell them after 2030. Small manufacturers selling fewer than 2,500 cars a year can sell pure petrol and diesel models until 2035.
The ZEV mandate sets the pace for manufacturers rather than drivers. It requires 33% of new car sales to be zero-emission in 2026, then 38% in 2027, 52% in 2028, 66% in 2029 and 80% in 2030. It applies to manufacturers, not employers, and a consultation on changing it opened on 14 August 2026 and closed on 23 October 2026, so the outcome is still to come.
Will Hybrids Be Banned After 2030?
Not straight away. Full hybrids and plug-in hybrids can still be sold new until 2035, while mild hybrids can't, under rules reported in April 2025. Beyond 2035, you'll still be able to buy and sell used hybrids, but they won't be as readily available as new cars.
| New car sales rules from 2030 compared | Pure petrol or diesel | Mild hybrid | Full hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New sales from 2030 | Not allowed (limited small-manufacturer exceptions) | Not allowed | Allowed until 2035 | Allowed until 2035 | Allowed |
| Existing cars | Legal to own, drive and sell | Legal to own, drive and sell | Legal to own, drive and sell | Legal to own, drive and sell | Legal to own, drive and sell |
The regulations apply equally to both petrol and diesel cars. Therefore, beyond 2035, you'll still have the choice to buy or sell used plug-in hybrid cars, but they won't be as readily available to buy as brand-new vehicles.
Is It Still Worth Buying a Petrol Car?
Buying a petrol or diesel car is still legal, but the price gap has closed. The average new electric car cost £42,620 after discounts in April 2026, about £785 less than the average new petrol car at £43,405, according to Zemo Partnership, citing Autotrader. Anyone who wants a new petrol or diesel car will need to buy one before the end of 2030. Running costs depend on where you charge and how far you drive, and a comparison of electric versus petrol running costs shows how they compare.
Resale value is the main counterpoint. Electric cars retained about 39% of their value after three years or 36,000 miles, compared with roughly 52% to 56% for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars. With salary sacrifice, the car is leased rather than owned, and in contract hire the leasing company typically takes the risk on resale value.
How Does Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Work?
Employers can offer electric car salary sacrifice as an employee benefit, and employees agree to give up a portion of their gross salary each month to cover the cost of the car. Because income tax and National Insurance are calculated on the reduced salary, employees typically save 20 to 50% compared with a personal lease. The all-inclusive package covers insurance, servicing and maintenance, breakdown cover and road tax (VED), with tyres and home charging optional.
Zero-emission cars have a Benefit in Kind rate of 4% in 2026/27, rising to 5% in 2027/28, 7% in 2028/29 (a two percentage point rise) and 9% in 2029/30, while petrol and diesel cars can be taxed at up to 37% in 2026/27. The EV salary sacrifice calculator estimates your monthly cost, and The Charge Scheme lets employees salary sacrifice charging costs too, with employees typically saving 20 to 50% on charging.
What Does The Ban Mean For Employers And Company Car Drivers?
The ZEV mandate applies to manufacturers, not employers, but the 2030 end date may shape which vehicles are available when company car contracts renew. Employers can prepare in three ways:
Plan lease ends. A petrol or diesel car leased for four years from late 2027 would still be on the road in 2031, so set a glidepath to remove petrol and diesel cars as contracts end, using our EV fleet management guide and 2030 ban fleet guide
Launch a scheme with no net cost to the business, because there are no set-up or running costs
Report on committed mileage, cars ordered and delivered and carbon dioxide equivalent savings to support ESG goals, with Complete Employer Protection covering events such as redundancy, dismissal and long-term sickness with no excess to pay
What Electric Cars Are Available?
You can choose from 200+ new and used electric cars, and the quote tool shows the all-inclusive monthly payment and the monthly cost for your pay. Used EVs come with verified battery health, the same all-inclusive package and delivery in as little as 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Still Drive a Petrol or Diesel Car After 2030?
Yes, you can keep driving, owning and selling a petrol or diesel car after 2030. The ban applies to sales of new cars only, so existing cars stay legal on the road. Second-hand cars will be unaffected by the ban.
What Happens to Classic Cars After the Ban?
Classic cars are unaffected because the ban covers new car sales only. It will still be possible to buy and sell classic cars after the ban on new vehicles comes in.
Does the ZEV Mandate Apply to Employers?
No, the ZEV mandate applies to manufacturers, not employers. It sets the share of each manufacturer's new car sales that must be zero-emission, which reaches 80% in 2030 under the current rules. Employers may notice it in the vehicles available at contract renewal.
Is the 2030 Date Likely to Change?
The government has said the end date for new pure petrol and diesel car sales isn't changing. Its ZEV mandate review is looking at the pace of the interim targets, including the 2030 target, and the outcome is still to come.
New petrol and diesel cars are due to stop being sold from 2030, with full hybrids and plug-in hybrids reported to stay on sale until 2035. Existing cars stay legal to own, drive and sell, and classic cars are unaffected because the rules cover new sales. The ZEV mandate applies to manufacturers, and the government's review hasn't changed the 2030 end date. Electric cars now cost slightly less to buy on average than petrol cars, and through electric car salary sacrifice, employees typically save 20 to 50% compared with a personal lease. Employers can prepare by planning for their petrol and diesel contracts to end.
See what an electric car could cost you each month. Get a quote with The Electric Car Scheme to see 200+ new and used electric cars, the all-inclusive monthly payment and the monthly cost for your pay.
Savings and tax figures are estimates and depend on individual circumstances. For the latest rules, see the HMRC guidance on Benefit in Kind.
Are you an employer?
BOOK A DEMOAre you an employee?
SEE AVAILABLE CARSYou might also like:
Information and prices provided are accurate at the time of release and may be subject to change. Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms: using a flat payment profile, 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions: England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
Copyright and Image Usage: All images used on this website are either licensed for commercial use or used with express permission from the copyright holders, in compliance with UK and EU copyright law. We are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining full compliance with applicable regulations. If you have any questions or concerns regarding image usage or copyright matters, please contact us at marketing@electriccarscheme.com and we will address them promptly.
