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In 2020, the Government announced that new petrol and diesel car sales are set to end in the UK by 2030. By 2035, all new cars and vans must be fully zero emission at the tailpipe. Between 2030 and 2035, new cars and vans can still be sold if they can drive a significant distance with zero emissions, for example, plug-in hybrids or full hybrids.

Driving ICE vehicles purchased ahead of the changeover dates will still be possible.

So what do the changes mean for motorcycles?

Over eighteen months after the planned change to new car and van sales was revealed, the government announcement clarified the position.

No new petrol motorbikes under 125cc will be allowed to be sold from 2030, and all new petrol-powered motorcycles will be banned from 2035.

Research undertaken by Minster Law in the aftermath of the Government announcement highlighted concerns by the biking community. Range, cost, the lack of noise on safety, the loss of the biking experience and concerns about the environmental impact of battery production were all cited as concerns.

Range and cost are issues shared by car buyers, while safety concerns centre on ‘silent running’ has to an extent, been addressed. To keep pedestrians safe, legislation requires EVs to emit a sound with a minimum frequency of 56 Decibels — which is as loud as an electric toothbrush. The sound should also mimic its behaviours. For example, the pitch should increase when the car speeds up. It is possible to have louder noise, and it was due to be introduced in the USA. However, it was abandoned, possibly because Tesla being Tesla, went a little too far, allowing vehicle owners to select goat bleats and DJ horns to alert pedestrians!

The most significant differentiator between EVs and e-motorcycles is an emotional one centred upon the biking experience. As with cars and vans, bikes purchased ahead of the changeover dates can still be ridden on UK roads.

Might the Ban on ICE motorcycles be extended?

While the government consultation period has ended, the Motorcycle Industry  Association (MCIA) continues to lobby. A recent meeting between the MCIA and the Minister for Transport Decarbonisation saw the Minister acknowledge and accepted that, currently, technology isn’t ready to transition ICE, higher powered PTWs to fully electric. It provides a glimmer of hope. However, the signs are that manufacturers are gearing up for an EV future.

For the sub-125cc bikes, the range of e-motorcycles continues to improve, and most current machines provide a range of 40 - 50 miles on a single battery; where they can take two batteries, 100 miles of range is possible.

It will be interesting to see what manufacturers can create for larger machines in the next twelve years. Harley-Davidson has already brought an electric motorcycle to market – the Livewire. Norton has secured ‘significant funding’ from the Advanced Propulsion Centre to research an electric motorbike that satisfies the brand’s criteria for performance, touring range, and lightweight handling. Triumph has launched a prototype bike with a 100 mile range.

By 2030, the Government aims to increase the charging network significantly, and the Department for Transport has earmarked £582 million for grants toward plug-in motorcycles, vans and taxis.

The change might be tough for the petrolheads amongst us, but if you have experienced the acceleration in an electric car, it might be very interesting.

Julian Oliver, National Motorcycle Manager

With the move to electric vehicles by 2030, what does this mean for motorcycles? Find out from National Motorcycle Manager, Julian Oliver. 

The move to electric motorcycles

Light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations rise by 17.3% to 47,634 units in the third month of successive growth.

YTD market grows 17.4% to 87,272 units but remains -15.1% below pre-pandemic 2019 Q1 as erratic supply chain issues continue.

The latest light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales numbers are encouraging, especially since they mark a third consecutive month of growth. Q1 has got the year off to a good start!

With its new plate, March is always a high volume time and the ’23 plate’ vans did not disappoint, with sales up by over 17%. I appreciate that we are talking year-on-year growth and that supply issues constrained sales last year. I also know that we cannot ignore that they are below pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, I am encouraged.

March 2023 saw van buyers facing the continuing spectre of recession, albeit such concerns have not come to fruition to date. Add to this the desire of many businesses to switch to Electric vans that have been in short supply, and where the outlook suggests longer range models are in the pipeline, I see room for positivity.

Demand was up across all segments, apart from vans weighing up to and including 2.0 tonnes. It is the area where we can expect to see battery electric vans becoming more popular. While the segment was down, perhaps the growth in electric vans provides a nod to the trend ahead. Deliveries of battery electric vans were up by 32.7%.

The recent publication of the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate will only increase the demand for battery vans. The ZEV mandate set annual sales targets for manufacturers from 2024 to 2030. In 2024, these targets will be 22% for cars and 10% for vans. These targets will be increased to 80% and 70% in 2030, respectively. The start point comes into force in less than nine months.

One final thought on positivity; the demand for new and used vans, and we see strong demand for used vans across our network, is always an excellent barometer for the broader UK economy. One swallow does not make it Spring, but the sound, or lack of it for battery-powered vans, has undoubtedly helped my optimism.


Debbie McKay, Commercial Director of Motor Sales

Explore the current LCV market with Commercial Director of Motor Sales, Debbie McKay. 

New LCV sales: an impressive Q1 and room for optimism

The journey to a net zero UK economy by 2050 has begun. Now that may seem like a long way into the future, but action is being taken now by investors, government agencies and major investors to start the transition now.

The acronym ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance), whose over-arching goal is to support sustainability and its implications, is already resonating across the UK’s largest car retailers. Its importance can be expected to impact the entire industry.

If this sounds like a ‘stick’, the ‘carrot’ is also available. Sustainability practices can help to:

Reduce the cost of energy, water, waste and transport

Work more efficiently – doing more with less

Improve profits through real bottom-line savings

Protect your business from risks (including financial, reputational and compliance risks) through improved planning and preparedness

Improve your business profile with customers, suppliers and stakeholders

Now, if that all sounds ambitious, then it shouldn’t. When under pressure, motor retailers have long demonstrated a capacity to identify cost savings without negatively impacting their businesses. A similar cost/value assessment can be valid for the shift to carbon neutrality and sustainability.

The starting point to embrace carbon neutrality is to identify your existing carbon footprint and there are plenty of resources to help including free resources such as https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx.

Understanding your carbon footprint can also help to save money now and in the longer term. For example, reducing utility consumption is good for the environment and your bottom line. Areas of opportunity available now might include:

Lights (which can make up to 40% of utility bills): switch to LED lighting and consider getting motion sensors inside and outside to turn on lights only when needed. Or use light sensors that help you make the most of free natural light.

Turn down the heat: 1°C of overheating can increase energy costs by up to 8%, and using air conditioning all day in the summer can add up to around 30% of your energy bill. So use them both sparingly.

Turn things off when not in use and close doors: encourage colleagues to turn off their computers instead of using standby mode. Unplug any device when it is not needed and ensure doors, notably those in the service area, are opened on a controlled basis to avoid heat loss.  

Assess equipment efficiency from boilers to air compressors: newer ones could be far more cost-effective.

Going the extra mile, steps might include:

Fitting solar panels, notably photovoltaic (PV) panels, can reduce bills and provide a good return on investment.

Installing battery storage to store energy for when it’s needed.

Looking to recycle water, especially in any car wash areas

Going carbon neutral is achievable, and the steps above can form part of the journey to gaining PAS 2060 – the only recognised international standard for carbon neutrality. In order to achieve the certification, the Carbon Trust details that a company must:

Develop a qualifying explanatory statement (QES) including; a statement of commitment, a timescale for achievement, a carbon management plan and targets for greenhouse gas reductions and a credible plan backed by investment to achieve ongoing emissions reductions to reduce reliance on offsets over time

Purchase high-quality offsets such as Gold Standard, VCS and Woodland Code UK to compensate for all remaining emissions.

The journey to a net zero UK economy by 2050 has begun. So, is your dealership ready to start its ESG journey?

News - April 2023

The move to electric motorcycles

New LCV sales: an impressive Q1 and room for optimism

Taking steps to carbon neutral car retailing

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