It is inevitable to stop the fuel ban in 2030
Putting the brakes on the controversial 2030 ban on cars with exclusively petrol and diesel engines was, as I have argued for years, inevitable.
This week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vindicated the Mail campaign by carrying out the necessary common sense reality check.
In July 2017, then Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced the ban from 2040. In 2020, former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps brought it forward to 2035 and then 2030.
Shake it up: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured visiting Land Rover in July
So spare a thought for the manufacturers that took on the EV challenge and delivered, even though the goalposts were constantly moving. Launching a new vehicle can take up to seven years and cost billions.
While the move has divided manufacturers, the delay presents an opportunity. First, let’s sort out affordable electric vehicles and sufficient charging points.
Great BMW golf tour
There was some great driving at the recent BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, last weekend, and not everyone in the field.
While New Zealander Ryan Fox took the competition honors, I had the opportunity to test drive the large and expensive all-electric BMW iX SUV.
The BMW iX SUV is environmentally friendly, has zero emissions and emits an electric soundtrack by film composer Hans Zimmer.
I was behind the wheel of the i20 iX xDrive40 Sport Edition which cost £77,195 (rising to £78,545 with extras). It is a beast. Acceleration from rest to 62 mph is 6.1 seconds to a top speed of 124 mph with 80 percent DC fast charging in 31 minutes.
But it’s also green, has zero emissions, and blasts a vibrant, electric soundtrack by film composer Hans Zimmer.
The Wentworth event is actually an exclusive mini BMW motor show with many current cars (and classics from the past, including electric ones) on display in the golf ‘village’.
