A small group of 13 MPs, as well as Lord Lilley, are calling for the  Government to change its plan on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.

The government announced the halt to the sales by 2030. But a new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) suggests seven alternative ways to lower emissions. This could relieve the pressure on the automobile and other industries in the post pandemic climate.

APPG chair Craig Mackinlay MP says the Government lacks the courage to stand up to “climate fanatics”.

Remove the ban

The report is calling for the removal of the ban immediately.

Instead, the Government should incentivise the move to clean fuels. Motivation to develop technologies that will not have an adverse impact on the economy, drivers, or businesses is what is needed.

“We have listened to thousands of road users, from cyclists, bikers, motorists, through to our vital frontline and essential much undermined commercial vehicle drivers,” says Mackinlay.

“We have put together a range of recommendations to Government that are both constructive and economically viable to help reduce emissions without hurting 37m drivers or UK’s economy.

“It is imperative we bring the majority of the electorate along with us in the changes being demanded of them. Not using a ton of un-consulted millstones. It must be through consultation and consensus and a rational debate about the cost and alternatives. That will mean compromises on all sides of the green agenda. Above all, using common sense and practical, achievable solutions.”

The climate agenda

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in November 2020. It came as part of a 10-point “green recovery” plan. There is a five-year grace period for some hybrids.

Howard Cox, the architect of the report, is also the founder of FairFuelUK and secretary to the APPG. He believes that “all common sense has been thrown out and cluelessly replaced by a set of virtual signalling policies”. These government policies “have been overwhelmingly rejected by the majority of UK’s drivers”.

Cox adds that the APPG report “shows that the economic recovery would collapse” under the plans. He describes the government plan as creating a “needless cliff edge”.

“Motorists did not vote for the Green Party in the 2019 General Election, but that is what we have got. The result being a deliberate insidious policy to use cyclists against drivers under the cover of a well-financed ill-informed emotive green agenda.”