Outrage as MPs demand PM brings forward ban on petrol and diesel cars to 2032

OUTRAGE erupted last night as MPs demanded Theresa May bring forward a ban petrol and diesel cars by eight years to 2032.

Campaigners hit out as a powerful cross-party Commons committee urged the PM to move England in line with Scotland to prove she’s “serious” about going green.

The MPs said the Government’s decision last week to slash the plug-in subsidy for Brits wanting to buy electric vehicles proved it wasn’t “ambitious” enough about going green on the roads.

Rachel Reeves, the Labour chair of the Business Select Committee, stormed: “For all the rhetoric, the reality is the Government deeds do not match the ambitions of their words.

“If we are serious about being electric vehicle world leaders, the Government must come forward with a target of new sales of cars and vans to be zero emission by 2032.”

Environment Secretary Michael Gove called for a ban on the sale of all diesel and petrol cars by 2040 as he unveiled an “air quality” strategy last year.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon then proposed “phasing out” new petrol and diesel car sales by 2032.

The Freight Trade Association last night warned the Committee’s call could “cripple” the haulage trade.

FTA chief Richard Burnett said: “At the moment there is no alternative to diesel available for HGVs.

“Nor is there likely to be an affordable option on the market for many years.

“Crippling the industry that keeps the UK fed, clothed and equipped with unnecessary red tape and rules is just plain wrong.”

Howard Cox, co-founder of FairFuel UK yesterday stormed: “This is exactly the kind of stupid idea that gives politics and the green agenda a bad name.

“It means junking almost all our perfectly usable cars which can become even clear with better fuel technology.”

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