What Will Become of the ICE Vehicle?

In September 2023, the UK Government announced that the ban on the sale of brand new petrol and diesel vehicles would be delayed until 2035.

 

We are waiting for more details to emerge about how this will affect the industry before updating this article accordingly. Check back soon.

 

 

The UK Government have pledged to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035. This is to work towards a greener future by reducing emissions and the demand for fossil fuels.

 

You might have several questions surrounding the ban of petrol and diesel cars, one being, what will happen to ICE vehicles?

 

When Will All ICE Vehicles Be Banned?

Step one of the plan states that by 2035, car manufactures stop selling brand new vehicles which run on petrol or diesel. Once these ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles stop being sold, you will only be able to buy brand new hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

 

Will I Still Be Able to Drive My ICE Vehicle?

A common misconception about the 2035 ban is that people will not be able to drive or own a petrol or diesel car. This is not true. You will be able to drive your ICE vehicle for the foreseeable future.

 

The average expected lifespan of an ICE vehicle is around 14 years, so we can expect to see ICE vehicles on the roads until the mid-2040’s at the very least.

 

Will I Be Able to Buy an ICE Vehicle After 2035?

Car brands will not be able to manufacture new ICE vehicles, therefore will not be able to sell any new vehicles. However, you will be able to buy second-hand ICE vehicles after 2035.

 

We predict to see much of this in the early 2035s, but as electric cars become more accessible and affordable, ICE vehicles are likely to decrease in value – more on that later.

 

Are Hybrids Exempt from the Ban?

Despite being much lower in emissions than ICE vehicles, hybrid models will also be phased out. It is planned that the sale of hybrid cars will be taken off the market in 2035.

 

This will give consumers the option to try out a hybrid model before making the switch to a fully electric vehicle.

 

What Will Happen to ICE Vehicles?

So, what will happen with all the ICE vehicles on the road once the ban comes in? Here are some of the things that are expected to happen once the ban is implemented.

 

Used Car Values Expected to Plummet

Since you will no longer be able to buy a new ICE vehicle, your only option to buy a petrol or diesel car will be to buy one second-hand.

 

Experts predict that the value of these cars will plummet. This is because it will be more expensive to run an ICE car, since the infrastructure will be stronger, and it’ll be easier and cheaper to charge an electric car than it will be to fuel an ICE car.

 

If this spike in fuel prices happens, it will put pressure on the used ICE car market to sell for much less. Naturally, people will often opt for an electric car, even if it is second hand, as it’ll cost less to run.

 

Electric Cars Will Become More Affordable

Once more people are buying and driving electric cars, the price of them will come down. This is based on a concept called ‘economies of scale’. As EVs become more popular, production numbers and resources will rise, and the cost of production will drop.

 

This will also be reflected in the used electric car market. There will be many more second-hand electric cars for sale since more people will be owning them and perhaps looking to upgrade. If this is the case, it is likely that the average price of a second-hand electric car will drop.

 

Charging Infrastructure Will Improve

Since the announcement of the 2035 ban, the government has put a plan in place to improve the infrastructure to keep up with the demand for charging points. In 2017, the Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund was announced to support faster expansion of public charge points along key road networks, and in urban areas and destinations.

 

With more electric cars on the road, more charging points will be needed. Current electric car owners will be happy to know that charging points will become more available and more common.

 

Fuel Prices May Increase

According to the principle of supply and demand, if less people are needing fuel, then the price will rise. It may also be harder to come across as petrol stations make more space for electric car chargers.

 

It is also worth noting that if the price of fuel rises, an ICE vehicle will become more expensive to run. This will result in more people buying electric vehicles, as they will save the driver money in running costs.

 

Insurance Companies are More Likely to Write Cars Off

Electric cars are notorious for their expensive batteries. Because of this, if an electric car’s battery is damaged in an accident, it is much more likely to be written off, rather than repaired as the cost of the battery is simply too high to replace or repair.

 

Due to this, we could see a shift in the way that car insurance companies operate.

 

Due to all these factors, you might want to get ahead of the curve by investing in an electric car before 2035. Our EV Hub has all the essential advice about owning an electric car, from all about leasing, the best models, and much more.

 

Read More

Is an Electric Car Right for Me?

If you haven’t yet considered whether an electric car will suit your needs, read this article now. We’ll help you understand when an EV is and isn’t a good option based on your driving habits.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Car? (Vs an ICE)

There’s no point buying an electric car that boasts great value if you don’t maximise your savings on day-to-day costs. In this article, you’ll find out more about electric car running costs and how switching from a petrol or diesel car can really benefit you.

 

When Will All Cars Be Electric in the UK?

Electric cars are rapidly growing in popularity, but they are still far from the norm in the UK. However, that will change very soon. Find out more about when all cars will be electric in this article.

 

How Many Electric Cars are There in the UK?

As more and more drivers make the switch to electric cars, the number of EVs on UK roads are growing every month. Learn more about the popularity of electric cars in the UK in 2024 and find out the latest stats and figures in this article.