That would have meant an end to new hybrids such as Nissan’s best-selling Qashqai which uses a petrol or diesel engine alongside a battery.
Concerns over the high cost of EVs, their resale value, range and availability of charging points is likely to see ministers extend their life by five years.
Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately blasted the move, telling The Sunday Telegraph: “This new plan is the worst of both worlds.
“It doesn’t do much to drive down emissions — and it’s moving too fast for businesses and motorists.
“Labour spent years in opposition telling everyone they’d give businesses certainty, but they’re backsliding within months.
“This dithering creates a huge headache for manufacturers and hurts economic growth.”
A government spokesman said its plan had always been to phase out by 2030 “new vehicles with pure internal combustion engines”.
He said: “The original phase-out date included the provision for some hybrid vehicle sales between 2030 and 2035.”
British EV maker collapses after failure to deliver vehicles
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