Petrol and diesel cars to be banned by 2030, LTNs to continue – is Labour on the side of drivers?

The accelerated deadline which would put more pressure on car manufacturers to become compliant, would give the industry five years less to move to electric alternatives.

Under the Conservative Government the net zero goal was extended to 2035 after pleas by car producers and drivers who felt 2030 was too soon.

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The Labour manifesto details: “The climate and nature crisis is the greatest long-term global challenge that we face.

“The clean energy transition represents a huge opportunity to generate growth, tackle the cost-of-living crisis and make Britain energy independent once again. That is why clean energy by 2030 is Labour’s second mission.”

Matt Finch, UK policy manager at Transport & Environment, explained that Labour’s clean energy plans have the potential to be “transformative”.

However, Finch said that more details are needed on how they plan to decarbonise other sectors of the economy including transport, which is the UK’s largest emitting sector.

Finch added that it is positive Labour has recognised that better public transport tackles congestion, air pollution and climate change.

He praised the commitment of the party to restoring the 2030 phase out on new petrol and diesel cars.

“Tackling the issues holding the UK’s charging network back from scaling up, and supporting second-hand EV buyers with standardised information on battery health will make people more confident in switching to an EV and embracing the future of UK road transport,” he stated.

Finch warned however, that Labour needs to “think hard” about what they’re going to do to tackle the pollution “spewing out of trucks, planes and ships as they are significant obstacles in achieving a zero-emission transport system that works for everyone in the UK”.

Labour also pledged to address the high costs associated with car insurance by calling in regulators to crack down on the causes of soaring costs.

However, last night Starmer failed to rule out the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods which continue to be a havoc for drivers.

He stated that LTNs would be for "local authorities to decide" where they are put in place, adding that they are a "good idea" in some areas.

Starmer also denied that 20mph zones should be imposed by central Government. When asked whether the zones should be mandated in England, like they were in Wales, Starmer said: "I don’t think they should be."

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Meanwhile, Patrick Vallance, former chief scientific adviser added: “A national mission for clean power by 2030 is achievable and should be prioritised.

“But if we choose to go slowly, others will provide the answers, and ultimately we’ll end up buying these solutions rather than selling them.”