Scotland to phase out diesel cars sales by 2032

On Tuesday, the Scottish Government announced its pledge to phase out new diesel and petrol cars sales by 2032- eight years ahead of the UK plan.

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, said: "The transition from petrol and diesel cars and vans to electric and other ultra-low emission vehicles is underway and gathering pace”.

She added: "I am announcing today an ambitious new target. Our aim is for new petrol and diesel cars and vans to be phased out in Scotland by 2032 - the end of the period covered by our new Climate Change Plan and eight years ahead of the target set by the UK Government”.

Similar to the UK Government’s plan, sales of diesel and petrol hybrid cars will still be allowed.

Jesse Norman, the Parliamentary under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, confirmed the Government’s plans through a written answer to the House of Commons.

He said: “The Government has a manifesto commitment for almost all cars and vans on our roads to be zero emission by 2050. We believe this would necessitate all new cars and van being zero emission vehicles by 2040”.

Minister Sturgeon also revealed the country’s plans to fast-track the deployment of electric vehicles charging points and to launch multiple pilot projects across the country to encourage the transition to carbon-free transportation.

Under this prism, the First Minister added that there were plans to make the A9 road- a major road of 269 miles (433 km) length vertically crossing the country, the first fully electric-friendly road in Scotland.

Funding will also be allocated in the feasibility stage of the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in the North Sea.

Mrs Sturgeon said: “We will continue to champion clean energy- The North Sea is potentially the largest carbon storage resource anywhere in Europe”.

Although Scotland’s parliament doesn’t hold devolved control over vehicle standards or taxation, Mrs Sturgeon commented that:

“As members will be aware, we don’t currently hold powers over vehicle standards and taxation. However, we can and will take action”.

Recently, Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, pledged that London’s entire transport system would become zero emission by 2050, with a “zero emission zone” by 2025.

Read the official press release with more details on the Scottish Government's policies here.