Home The Hidden Cost of Cars

CO₂ Targets vs Car Sales - The Great Contradiction

UK Economics Chest June 18, 2026

Original Net Zero targets on cars, shifts to 2035.

Everytime I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the human race - H.G. Wells.

There has been a significant shift in the UK's net zero targets for cars, with the deadline for cutting new combustioned car sales, moved to 2035. The UK must cut all atmospheric emissions by 68% nationally by 2030, but here's the kicker:

Transport is a large emitting sector, responsible for 27% of emissions, with cars being the biggest contributor.
Electricity has de-carbonised rapidly but transport has not.
Car dependency is rising not falling.
If combustion car sales are stopped in 2035, then second hand cars will continue to pollute the atmosphere for some 20-30 years after that.

Electric vehicle adoption is slower than expected due to several factors:

High prices for charging infrastructure.
Slow infrastructre rollout.
Range anxiety and lack of charging points.
Higher upfront costs of electric vehicles.

Car manufacturers don't have a crystal ball about the supply of the raw materials needed to build today's modern cars.

Mercedes for example has not curtailed the production of combustion engines.
Most car manufacturers are pulling away from ambitious electric car production, let's see why:

Battery longevity is a limiting factor, rare earth metals and battery components may be in short supply.
Electric vehicle batteries are pricey, and replacement after 10 years may prove unsustainable. This shortens the life of an EV. For this reason car owners may prefer a self-charging hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid, where batteries are less expensive.

Trend in Car fuel type ownership from 2019 to 2024: England

Public transport and active travel modes are not being adopted at the same rate as car ownership, leading to increased car dependency. Just in Kent alone passengers have experienced:

Increased train fares.
Train conductors rarely seen, rather relying on automated barriers.
Automated barriers often left open.
First class cabins not being filled.
On peak travel demand high.
Parking charges at stations high, forcing car owners to take their cars.

The most common purpose for car travel is for leisure, not commuting, and this has been consistent over the years.

Car trips per person per year by trip purpose (NTS0409)

Conclusions drawn from the data:

The 2035 petrol/diesel ban does not solve the car problem, it simply delays it.
Without reducing the number of cars on the road, Net Zero is impossible.
Electric vehicles offer a promising solution, but their adoption is hindered by material limits.
The only sustainable solution is fewer cars not different types of cars.
See the Car Menace.

This ties in with:

Renewable travel (alternative travel like cycling, walking, public transport).
Trams.
Lower train fares.
Walk only zones (Sir Sadiq Khan's proposal in London and other cities).
Cycling infrastructure.
Status and image are explicitly listed as major purchase considerations alongside utilitarian needs.
Qualitative values, greener policies, replacing GDP driven policies.

Trams can help reduce car dependency.

Trams vs Cars - places where trams would fit -

This page gleans data from The National Travel Survey and relevant statistics , which were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in September 2018. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and are labelled ‘Accredited Official Statistics’.

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