A final decision is still pending on which hybrid cars will be permitted to remain on sale, with consultations set to take place with car manufacturers and other stakeholders.
Ministers are planning to reintroduce a 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, a plan which was scrapped by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023.
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “The original phase-out date included the provision for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 35. We know it is important to provide certainty and stability for drivers and will set out further details in due course.”
The decision to allow some hybrid vehicles to remain on sale differs from Labour’s election manifesto.
As a result, Helen Whately, the Conservatives’ shadow transport secretary, said Labour ‘either didn’t know what they were committing to during the election campaign or have now realised it isn’t possible’.
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Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery.
This helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, with the electric motor powering the wheels and the engine topping up the battery when necessary.
Hybrid vehicles can run on pure electricity at low speeds. They also use kinetic energy, released under braking, to recharge the batteries.
The Toyota Prius is one of the UK's most popular hybrid vehicles, although in recent years more and more carmakers have introduced this tech reduce CO2 emissions and boost fuel economy.
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