Drivers told Labour government will 'back off' from them and 'not interfere'

Drivers have been told the new Labour Party government could "back off" from car makers amid calls to introduce more electric vehicle taxes. The Labour Party government will "back off" from interfering with the automotive industry, according to new reports.

The government delayed the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035. This decision was criticised by car industry leaders as "hugely retrograde" and could create anxiety. Carmakers have told the chancellor that government targets are putting too much pressure on the industry.

The delay could risk a loss of momentum as the industry prepares for the next phase of the EV transition. In their manifesto, Sir Keir Starmer's party had vowed to ban petrol-powered cars in the next six years - but has now appeared to backtrack.

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The document said that the party would ban the sale of “new cars with internal combustion engines” by 2030 as part of efforts to reach net zero. A government spokesperson told the Telegraph: “This government’s policy has always been to revert to the original 2030 phase out date for the sale of new vehicles with pure internal combustion engines.

“The original phase out date included the provision for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 2035. We will set out further details on this in due course.”

Conservative frontbencher Helen Whately said: “This new plan is the worst of both worlds. It doesn’t do much to drive down emissions and it’s moving too fast for businesses and motorists. Labour spent years in opposition telling everyone they’d give businesses certainty, but they’re backsliding within months.

“This dithering creates a huge headache for manufacturers and ultimately hurts economic growth.” A Government spokesperson previously told GB News: “We are always vigilant to international developments and are very clear that any decision over the implementation of tariffs has to be the right one for our domestic automotive industry.”