Switch to electric cars delayed as MPs admit charging isn’t up to scratch and that EVs are too pricey

THE upcoming ban on petrol and diesel cars in 2030 has been pushed back by the Scottish government.

MPs have decided to push back the switch by two years to 2032.

As reported in , speaking at Holyrood yesterday energy secretary Michael Matheson said that charging and cost were the reasons for the delay.

Ministers have concerns over how long Scotland's charging infrastructure is taking to progress.

There are also question marks over how much it now costs to buy and run an electric car, especially after recent energy price hikes.

It comes as part of a 194-page document outlining Scotland's plans to cut carbon emissions.

It includes a planned push for renewable energy to power the nation and a move away from fossil fuels at the same time.

The rest of the UK intends to stick to the 2030 deadline, which will see the end of new petrol and diesel cars for sale.

It is understood Scotland intends to stick to the UK-wide 2035 deadline for a ban on plug-in and full hybrids.

The EU has already approved plans for a ban on fossil fuel cars by 2035, although some countries have pushed back.

These include Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Germany.

On the subject, consumer editor at car buying and selling platform Hugo Griffiths said: "A sea of change is required to bring us to a place where the circa two million new cars sold in the UK in a normal year can be electric.

"There are no signs that the tide is going to turn swiftly enough for this to become a reality.

"Ministers can come up with all manner of high-minded policies from the back of an electric limousine, yet there remains a huge gulf between blue-sky political thinking, and how much cobalt and lithium can actually be dug out of the ground for EV battery packs.

“Fortunately, a proven, scalable and affordable solution already exists: small, light hybrid cars.

“The goal must be to reduce emissions from all walks of motoring rather than eliminate them altogether as, short of a ban on all driving or the discovery of perpetual motion, the latter is physically impossible."