Scotland to Ban New Petrol/Diesel Cars by 2032
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans September 5 to ban sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles eight years earlier than the rest of the UK.
Action would be taken to phase out the need for petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032 and fast-track the development of a Scotland-wide charging network, she said. There was no initial information on whether this would be primarily achieved through promotion of electric, hydrogen or gas-fuelled vehicles.
Plans were also unveiled for a Scottish National Investment Bank to deliver "long term financial support for innovative industries" and Sturgeon said her government would "seize the opportunities of the low carbon revolution, investing in future economic growth." She added that the CEO of Tesco Bank, Benny Higgins, had agreed to lead work on developing the new bank’s precise remit, governance, operating model and approach to managing risk.
Her announcements came as the Scottish regional government announced its 2017-18 programme, which said that the North Sea is potentially the largest carbon storage resource anywhere in Europe. But NGW was unable to locate a strategy outlining the steps for achieving the 2032 or carbon storage goals. A spokesperson said these may be issued later as part of a consultation, when the programme goes to the Scottish parliament for a vote.
Scotland, a part of the UK, nonetheless has certain devolved powers over aspects of economic and environmental policy.
Mark Smedley