Britain’s motorists may have to buy electric cars from next year under strict new proposals

ONE in five cars sold next year must be electric under strict new proposals.

And gas bills are set to soar because of green levies on the polluting fuel.

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AFP

The proposals, unveiled by Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps, have been described as a ‘despotic move’[/caption]

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps unveiled the plan to speed up the move to cleaner energy as part of the drive to Net Zero carbon emissions.

The proposed government targets update means 22 per cent of all cars sold in 2024 must be battery-powered rather than petrol or diesel — up from 17 per cent.

Manufacturers will be fined £15,000 for every car they do not sell within the limits, under the plan revealed yesterday.

All new cars must be electric or hybrid by 2030, and 100 per cent electric by 2035 under current plans.

Howard Cox, founder of FairFuel UK, said the rush towards more electric vehicles was a “despotic move”.

He said: “This government continues its relentless march to political oblivion by putting another unconsulted edict on to drivers to go electric.”

It comes as families face their gas bills going up by a further £100 next year. 

Ministers are planning a major overhaul as levies on electricity bills go down — but ones on gas go up.