General News
Listen to the aftermarket experts when it comes to reducing emissions
With the Government announcing this month that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK is being delayed from 2030 to 2035, is it time that the automotive aftermarket had a bigger say in Net Zero planning?
It’s a polarising issue with some motorists welcoming the delay, while some climate-conscious drivers and vehicle manufacturers have condemned it, including Ford, who said the move undermined its electric car investment plans. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has also added its input, commenting that the delay could put off drivers switching to electric vehicles.
Not only does the five-year delay to the ban of internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicle sales risk public enthusiasm for Net Zero, but the biggest effect on the UK economy might not just be felt by both the automotive industry, which has made billions of pounds of investment ahead of the ban, but the aftermarket too.
Impression works every day with a large cross section of the aftermarket industry, which is the leading provider of service, maintenance, and repair of the 34 million vehicles on UK roads, and we know the strength in depth of the industry and the expert voices on hand – so it needs to be part of the discussion.
The issue is that without certainty and regular consultation with the aftermarket, then garages, factors, technicians, and suppliers cannot appropriately plan for the future, with forecasts on the number of cars on UK roads by powertrain set to change wildly.
Motorists are already facing having to spend to keep up with climate-focused legislation, like ULEZ in London, but there’s solutions available within the aftermarket to help clean up vehicles on our roads today.
Want to know more about how the change could affect your aftermarket business? Email hayley@impressionuk.co.uk and we can put you in touch with industry experts on the topic.
