Ministers dig in on controversial plans to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030

MINISTERS are digging in on plans to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and hybrids by 2035.

After a week of car industry blows there were hopes the rush to Net Zero may slow.

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Ministers are digging in on plans to ban petrol and diesel cars but Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds may bring in more flexibility for manufacturers[/caption]

But it was understood ministers are looking only at tweaks to strict zero-emission vehicle rules.

A review by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds may instead bring in more flexibility, such as letting manufacturers buy permits or delay penalties for missing early targets.

It comes amid a row over phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

Stellantis, owner of Vauxhall, is closing a plant in Luton, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, due to EV targets.

Stellantis, who are Europe’s second-biggest maker of cars, have been weighting up their options after months of discussions with the UK government over their electrification rules.

A source said: “There is no U-turn. The Government has been clear it was just new cars powered solely by petrol and diesel that would be banned.

“Hybrids have always been part of the plan to support the transition.”

A spokesman said: “The Government’s commitment is to phase out the sale of new cars powered solely by internal combustion engines by 2030 — this has not changed.

“We will bring forward a consultation which will consider how to support industry to reach this date.”

In June, the company’s former UK boss, Maria Grazia Davino, said:”Stellantis UK does not stop, but Stellantis production in the UK could stop.”