Renault boss urges UK to drop petrol car ban for EU trade deal

The chief of Renault says Britain should scrap its 2030 petrol and diesel ban to join the EU's Made in Europe industrial scheme, calling the current policy stupid.

Oct 17, 2026

5 cards · 1m 30s · tap to begin

From · · 1m 30s

Renault boss urges UK to drop petrol car ban for EU trade deal

The chief of Renault says Britain should scrap its 2030 petrol and diesel ban to join the EU's Made in Europe industrial scheme, calling the current policy stupid.

In brief

The chief of Renault says Britain should scrap its 2030 petrol and diesel ban to join the EU's Made in Europe industrial scheme, calling the current policy stupid. Renault CEO François Provost told the Sunday Times the UK should abandon its ban on petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 to secure access to the EU's Made…

Renault chief attacks UK car ban

François Provost, CEO of Renault, told The Sunday Times the UK should abandon its ban on petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 to join the EU's Made in Europe industrial programme.

“There is no good date because it's stupid to ban non-electric cars. It is stupid.”

UK's current car policy

Britain currently pledges to ban petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, while permitting hybrid car sales until 2035. Provost said this timeline is unrealistic.

Trade deal conditions emerge

Trade deal conditions emerge

The Guardian reported that inclusion in Made in Europe would be conditional on Britain aligning with the EU's position on tariffs for Chinese-made electric vehicles. Provost confirmed the UK would need to fall in line.

UK resists tariff pressure so far

Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said decisions on tariffs would be based on UK interest. Downing Street said inclusion in Made in Europe would be good news for Britain's car industry.

Burnham warns of manufacturing risks

Andy Burnham warned earlier this week that the Made in Europe scheme presented risks to British manufacturing and promised to raise concerns about its impact on UK automotive firms with the bloc.

The essence

Renault CEO François Provost told the Sunday Times the UK should abandon its ban on petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 to secure access to the EU's Made in Europe industrial programme.

Read the original on The Independent

React

Sign in to react and comment.

Comments (0)

Life is short. Keep it sweet. Respect others' opinions and be kind!

    Recommended next

    More decks on renault and related topics.