Michael Gove stated on Tuesday that a ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030 is “immovable,” taking a harder stance than Rishi Sunak.
Downing Street left open the prospect that this objective could change, possibly due to technology advances in carbon reduction.
When questioned on Times Radio if the 2030 ban was irreversible, Communities Secretary Michael Gove said, “Yes.”
When pressed again on the fact that it would not alter, he replied, “Yes.”
However, he also stated that the government will consider the consequences of net zero measures on people when deciding on plans to tackle global warming, as portions of Europe were experiencing “toxic heat” record temperatures.
“It’s important that the Government does press ahead with appropriate and thoughtful steps in order to safeguard the environment,” he said.
“But there are some specific areas where the cost that is being imposed on individuals risks creating a backlash.
“We have seen that happen in the Netherlands and we don’t want to get to a situation where the support for improving our environment curdles and turns into resistance.”
Mr Gove’s comments came after Mr Sunak was on Monday not as categoric on the 2030 ban despite Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell saying earlier that it was the right decision, amid confusion over what the Government’s exact position was on this issue.
The PM declined in an interview to recommit to the ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars by the end of the decade in order to reduce emissions as he warned against heaping “hassle” or extra costs on to families.
But asked about the ban, Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “It is in place…I can’t prophesize for the future.”
Pressed further on the matter, he added: “It is in place and remains in place….and will remain in place.”
He stressed: “The Government has been very clear that we are phasing them out in 2030 and that is the right policy to pursue.”