UK carmakers seek to overturn the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, revealing industry pushback against the nation’s EV transition
Executive summary: In April 2026, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Bosch sent a joint letter to UK ministers urging the government to cancel the planned ban on new petrol and diesel car sales after 2035. The lobbying signals major auto industry resistance to the UK’s 2035 ICE phase‑out, which could delay policy implementation, affect EV investment plans and keep demand for fossil‑fuel vehicles higher.
Who is involved: BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Bosch; UK government ministers.
Likely next: The UK government may review the letter, potentially leading to a public consultation or amendment of the 2035 ban, while automakers await clarity on future EV mandates.
Documents show that in April 2026 BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Bosch jointly asked UK ministers to revoke the planned prohibition on new petrol and diesel car sales after 2035. The move highlights the automakers’ concern that the deadline could undermine near‑term sales of internal‑combustion models and affect their investment calendars. While the letter does not guarantee policy change, it adds pressure on the government to reconsider the timing or stringency of its EV mandate.
Timeline
- — +++ Iran-Krieg +++: Huthis melden Angriff auf saudische Öltanker (Handelsblatt)
- — Carmakers lobbied UK to revoke ban on petrol and diesel cars after 2035 (The Guardian — Business)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Automotive manufacturing
- Fuel retail
- Oil and gas exploration
Historical parallels
- US automakers lobbied against CAFE fuel‑efficiency standards in 2012
- European automotive industry opposed Euro 7 emissions regulations in 2021
Sources
- Carmakers lobbied UK to revoke ban on petrol and diesel cars after 2035 — The Guardian — Business
- +++ Iran-Krieg +++: Huthis melden Angriff auf saudische Öltanker — Handelsblatt
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