Rishi Sunak is set to defy Tory MPs who want to water down net zero climate targets by sticking with a strict timetable to phase out petrol and diesel cars.
The PM has come under pressure from some in his party to scale back plans to enforce electric car production rules as part of the 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles.
The government is said to be ready to set out its final plan for the forced transition to electric cars within weeks – with binding targets on UK carmakers to produce more in the immediate years ahead.
Despite being urged by net zero sceptics to relax the rules, No 10 and the Department for Transport confirmed Mr Sunak would stick with both the 2030 ban and interim targets set to begin in 2024.
It will require 22 per cent of all new cars sold next year to be electric vehicles, increasing to 50 per cent in 2028. Manufacturers who fail to comply with the targets face fines of up to £15,000 per car.
Mr Sunak vowed to be “pragmatic” about net zero plans after the surprise Uxbridge byelection win in July, with London mayor Sadiq Khan’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charging scheme widely credited with handing the Tories victory.