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2016 FORD TRANSIT L3 H3 2.2 DIESEL – ONLY 18,500 MILES – FRESH 12 MONTH MOT
£14,500
2016 18,500 miles
UK ZEV mandate · New van sales
The last new diesel van leaves the forecourt in
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New diesel and petrol vans can be sold in the UK until 2035. After that, every new van must be zero emission. Used diesel vans stay legal to drive, buy and sell.
Key facts · Checked 21 October 2026
The diesel van ban in 30 seconds
2035
New petrol, diesel and hybrid van sales end. Confirmed by the Government on 7 April 2025.
24%
Share of each maker's new van sales that must be zero emission in 2026, rising to 70% by 2030.
£15k
Fine per van a manufacturer falls short of its target, cut from £18,000 in 2025.
None
There's no date to stop driving a diesel van. The rule only covers new sales.
Short answer
When are diesel vans banned in the UK? They aren't banned from the road. New diesel vans can be sold until 2035, five years longer than new diesel cars (2030). Used diesel vans can still be bought, sold and driven after 2035.
What's actually changing
Vans vs cars: who stops when
Vans got a longer runway than cars because electric vans have been slower to sell. Here's every vehicle type side by side.
| Vehicle | New sales allowed until | Can you keep driving it? |
|---|---|---|
| New diesel van | 2035 | Yes |
| New petrol van | 2035 | Yes |
| New full hybrid or plug-in hybrid van | 2035 | Yes |
| New pure petrol or diesel car | 2030 | Yes |
| New hybrid car | 2035 | Yes |
| Used diesel van | No end date | Yes, subject to local clean air zones |
| New electric van | Always | Yes |
The ZEV mandate glidepath
Makers must sell more electric vans every year
The mandate doesn't stop you buying diesel. It forces manufacturers to sell a growing share of zero emission vans or pay fines. In 2024 the target was 10%, but only 6.3% of new vans registered were battery electric.
Target shareActual 2024This year
How we got here
The diesel van deadline has moved four times
2040, then 2030, then 2035. Here's the full story of the UK phase-out, from the first target to the final new diesel van.
- 2017July
A 2040 target appears
The Air Quality Plan calls for an end to new petrol and diesel car and van sales by 2040.
- 2020November
Brought forward to 2030
The Government announces new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out by 2030, with hybrids allowed to 2035.
- 2023September
Pushed back to 2035
Rishi Sunak delays the phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035.
- 2024January
ZEV mandate starts
Manufacturers must make 10% of new van sales zero emission, or buy credits and face fines.
- 20257 April
Vans keep 2035
Labour restores 2030 for new petrol and diesel cars but confirms diesel, petrol and hybrid vans can be sold until 2035. Fines per van drop to £15,000.
- 2026You are here
24% target
Nearly one in four new vans each maker sells this year must be zero emission.
- 2030Cars end
Last new diesel cars
New pure petrol and diesel cars stop. For vans, the target reaches 70% zero emission.
- 2035Vans end
Last new diesel vans
Every new van sold must be zero emission. Existing diesel vans keep running.
Myth buster
Heard it down the yard? Tap to check
Fact
Only new sales end in 2035. There's no national date to take diesel vans off the road.
Fact
The used market isn't covered by the mandate. You can buy and sell secondhand diesel vans after 2035.
Fact
In April 2025 the Government restored 2030 for cars only. New diesel vans keep their 2035 date.
Fact
Full hybrid and plug-in hybrid vans can be sold new until 2035, same as diesel.
Marketplace
Diesel vans for sale
Hand-picked diesel vans from eBay, AutoTrader, Gumtree and more. Or jump straight to the live searches.
Listings link to third-party sites. Prices and availability change fast, so always check the original advert. Links may earn us a commission.
Policy
Diesel vans get until 2035: what the Government confirmed
Cars lose their petrol and diesel option in 2030, but new diesel vans can be sold for five more years. Here's what changed and why.
Going
The ZEV mandate for vans, explained in plain English
24% of new vans each maker sells this year must be zero emission. Here's how the targets work and what they mean for van prices.
Buying
Can you still drive a diesel van after 2035? Yes, here's the detail
The 2035 date only stops new sales. Here's what still applies to used diesel vans, from clean air zones to resale.
Van decider
Diesel or electric: what suits your work?
Four questions. A straight answer. No sales pitch.
Our verdict
Answer the questions
Your verdict appears here.
Straight answers
Diesel van FAQ
When will new diesel vans be banned in the UK?
New diesel and petrol vans can be sold until 2035. The Government confirmed this on 7 April 2025, keeping vans on a later timetable than cars, where new pure petrol and diesel sales end in 2030.
Can I still drive my diesel van after 2035?
Yes. The 2035 date only ends the sale of new diesel vans. There's no national date to stop driving, buying or selling used ones. Local clean air zones can still charge older vans that don't meet their emissions standard, so check the zones you drive in.
Are hybrid vans allowed after 2030?
Yes. Petrol, diesel, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid vans are all permitted for new sale until 2035.
What is the ZEV mandate for vans?
The Zero Emission Vehicle mandate makes van manufacturers sell a rising share of zero emission vans each year: 10% in 2024, 16% in 2025, 24% in 2026, 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Makers that miss the target face fines of £15,000 per van.
Will diesel van prices go up before 2035?
Nobody can say for sure. Manufacturers under the mandate may push electric vans with discounts and limit diesel supply, while demand for good used diesels could stay strong. Watch our news section for market updates.
Should I buy a diesel van now?
It depends on your mileage, payload, charging access and whether you drive into clean air zones. Try the van decider above for a quick steer.