The Government has set its sights on banning the sale of petrol vehicles by 2035 – but fear not, motorcycles will be exempt.
In July 2017, the Government pledged to end the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040.
However, earlier this month, prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans to bring forward the ban to 2035 – while also extending the legislation to cover hybrid vehicles.
He said: “There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve.”
“2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming – it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all.”
However, according to Motorcycle News, the ban will not include motorcycles – for now at least.
Original guidance for motorcyclists, published in 2018, explained: “The market for zero emission motorcycles is at an earlier stage than either cars or vans.”
However, it did acknowledge that “Zero emission motorcycles can help reduce congestion, improve urban air quality and reduce noise.”
Motorcycle News says while cars and vans are “very much in the crosshairs right now, it would be safe to assume that motorbikes will follow suit in the future, but not just yet.”
27 February 2020
