Race to Buy Petrol Cars – Is a Black Market Emerging?

And Why 30% of Drivers Are Clueless About the 2030 Ban!

Imagine this: you’re skulking through a dodgy back alley, and a shadowy figure in a hoodie whispers, “What do you need? A four? A six?” Desperately, you respond, “No, mate, I need an eight. Give me an 8 – and fast!”

But instead of illicit substances, this could be the reality of the UK’s car market as we speed towards the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. People are frantically snapping up fossil-fuelled motors like it’s the last call at the pub.

The 2030 Petrol Ban – What’s Really Going On?

In case you’ve missed it, the UK government is set to ban the sale of brand new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Yes, it’s happening, and no, you’re not dreaming. If you’re thinking, “Didn’t Rishi Sunak push it to 2035?” – you’d be right, sort of. The Conservative government did briefly extend the deadline, but the new Labour administration is looking to roll it right back to 2030.

And if that wasn’t enough, even hybrids are set to be banned by 2035. So, unless you’re ready to go electric, the future’s looking a bit bleak for petrolheads. Or is it?

People Are Clueless About the Ban!

Here’s where it gets even more interesting – 12% of drivers have no idea about the 2030 car ban. According to research from The Green Insurer, while most UK motorists are aware of the looming petrol and diesel deadline, a huge chunk of them don’t realise it’s coming up so soon. And even fewer know about the hybrid ban.

Now, this might sound like a scene from a dystopian novel, but it’s real. The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate already kicked off in 2024, and by 2030, 80% of new cars sold in the UK will have to be electric. So, if you’re hoping to sneak in a new petrol motor, you’re looking at a slim 20% of the market – and mostly hybrids (probably plug-ins), at that!

Why Aren’t We Switching to Electric Cars?

Now, you’d think with all this talk of bans, everyone would be rushing to buy electric vehicles (EVs). But no. Of the 60% planning to buy a car prior to 2030, a whopping 68% of drivers are still planning to buy a petrol or diesel car before the ban kicks in. That’s nearly two-thirds of motorists saying nah to EVs and sticking to fossil fuels.

But why? Well, the research suggests that people aren’t exactly thrilled about EVs, and it’s easy to see why. A quarter of potential EV buyers have no idea where they’d even charge their car. That’s right – even if they’re ready to make the switch, they don’t have a clue where to plug in! Unless you’ve got a driveway or garage, public charging can be a bit of a nightmare. Sure, supermarkets and petrol stations are adding charging points, but good luck finding one that’s working when you need it.

Is a Black Market for Petrol Cars Really Emerging?

With petrol cars slowly being phased out, it’s not hard to imagine a time when they become a rare commodity. The real question is: will there be a black market for petrol cars? With sales of new cars officially banned, could that mean dealers pre-registering and squirreling away stocks of brand new ICE cars for motorists who still want them after 2030?

There’s already a sense of urgency as 60% of drivers planning to buy a new car before the 2030 deadline, are sticking with petrol or diesel. That’s not great news for the government’s green agenda, or the ZEV mandate which is supposed to encourage people to switch to electric.

Diesel’s Already Out – What About Petrol?

Let’s be honest, diesel has been on the decline for a while now. The Ulez (Ultra Low Emission Zone) in London has pretty much sealed the fate of older diesel cars, with anything pre-2015 being slapped with hefty charges. And it’s not just London – other cities are starting to follow suit.

But petrol? That’s a different story. While the cut-off is around 2006, some Ulez-compliant petrol cars go as far back as the late 90s. Petrol’s been holding on, but for how long?

Manufacturers are slowly rolling back on their commitment to EVs too. For example three years ago Volvo proudly announced they would only be offering EVs by 2030, but more recently confirmed it would still be offering some hybrid models by that time.

The Hybrid Dilemma

Here’s where things get really interesting. Hybrids are meant to be the bridge between petrol and electric, but they’re also getting axed in 2035. This is bad news for drivers who aren’t ready to go full electric and still want the convenience of petrol for longer trips.

Plug-in hybrids are especially appealing – with some offering up to 70 miles or more of EV-only range. For most UK drivers, that’s more than enough for daily commutes. But no, even these will be off the table by 2035. It’s almost like the government’s in a rush to make us all go electric, whether we’re ready or not.

What’s Next for Petrolheads?

If you’re a die-hard fan of petrol cars, the next few years are going to be crucial. Should you rush to buy a petrol car before 2030? Or will manufacturers continue to offer hybrids well into the next decade? Whatever the case, one thing’s clear – the clock is ticking.

So, are we really on the verge of a black market for petrol cars? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. With demand still high and the government keen to push electric, petrol cars could soon become a rare and valuable commodity with sales pushed underground!

The next few years will be a wild ride for car buyers, and I’m here to keep you updated.

What do you think? Are you planning to buy a petrol car before the ban? Or are you ready to go electric? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more on this topic!

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