As I’ve repeatedly said, petrol-electric hybrid cars have been hitting the sweet spot for years – whether they’re of the cheap, mild variety, far more expensive plug-in hybrids, or somewhere in between. Hybrids are the simplest, most flexible and least stressful way to enjoy fuel-efficient motoring this year and for many years – possibly decades – to come.
As for generally happy drivers of pure-petrol (and, to a lesser extent, diesel and LPG) models, they continue to be very content with their traditional cars with lower tech, and many are vowing to stick with them. Can you blame them? As someone who objects to politicians telling me what I should or shouldn’t buy, own and drive, I certainly don’t.
Politicians needlessly, stupidly and arrogantly embarked on an undemocratic crusade to rob people of their right to buy new cars powered by internal-combustion engines (while simultaneously trying to bludgeon us into models with electric motors). And surprise, surprise, their campaign has flopped. Thus Europe’s 2035 ban is now likely to be delayed until 2040 at the earliest. If the clueless UK Government stubbornly sticks with 2030, Brits will just pop over to France or Belgium to buy their ICE cars in the 2030s and possibly even into the 2040s. And why the hell shouldn’t they?
Since I wrote this column, the European Union has confirmed that it is axing its 2035 ban on the sale of brand new petrol and diesel cars. (See separate news story). At the same time, the UK Government has vowed to stick with its go-it-alone ‘policy’ to outlaw such vehicles from 2030. These game-changing political developments in recent days pave the way for the motorists of Britain to place orders for and take delivery of their factory-fresh right-hand drive [correct] petrol and diesel cars from mainland Europe dealerships in the 2030s…and beyond, possibly. In the new year I’ll be talking more – much, much more – about this EU-inspired stay of execution for combustion cars and the car retailing revolution that will surely follow when Brit buyers are prevented from buying on home soil, while effectively being encouraged to buy on the Continent. Madness.
Whether you’re sticking with engines or switching to electric, our nationwide dealer network has some fantastic cars on offer right now with new, used and leasing deals to choose from…
