Ford has long supported efforts by Europe and the UK to phase out the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles, but at the same time, the automaker has also adjusted its own strategy amid weaker than expected demand growth for EVs. In fact, Ford even criticized UK Prime Minster Rishi Sunak and others supporting a rollback of that country’s 2030 zero-emissions mandate, but at the same time, also admitted that it may have to stop selling ICE models in the UK to avoid paying hefty fines as well. Now, however, the automaker has received something of a reprieve that will allow Ford hybrids to continue to be sold in the UK for some time.
According to The Guardian, the UK will continue to allow the sale of certain hybrids in that country until 2035, though it still plans to ban the sale of pure ICE vehicles by 2030, as originally expected. As far as what hybrids automakers will be able to continue to sell in that country for a period of several years, well, no final decision has been made as of yet, but government officials plan to meet with automakers and other relevant parties to discuss that matter. Regardless, officials also maintained that they aren’t softening their 2030 ZEV rule by any measure, despite reports to the contrary.
“This is untrue as we have always been committed to restoring the original 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new cars with pure internal combustion engines,” a Department for Transport spokesperson said. “The original phase-out date included the provision for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 2035. We know it is important to provide certainty and stability for drivers and will set out further details in due course.”
The future of Ford hybrids are facing the same sort of uncertainty in Europe, which is also in the process of considering some changes to its planned ZEV mandate as well – which may include a provision for e-fuels. In the meantime, Ford ditched its admittedly “ambitious” plan of transitioning its entire passenger vehicle lineup to EVs in that region by 2030 recently, and will continue to offer a variety of powertrain options for the foreseeable future.
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