Aston Martin CEO Says U.K. ICE Ban Will Prove Disastrous Or Pointless

The United Kingdom's plan to eliminate the sale of gasoline and diesel powered vehicles isn't sitting well with Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer as he says it will either prove disastrous or pointless.

Speaking with Autocar, Palmer said a complete ban on gasoline and diesel vehicles would affect hundreds of thousands of people who work in the automotive industry and that's not even including people who are employed by gas stations and garages.

The executive also railed against the move as he said it would force companies to stop building engines domestically and turn to Asian countries - such as China, Japan, and South Korea - for batteries and battery technology. Palmer added this would waste large amounts of money which automakers have poured into the development of more eco-friendly engines.

Even if the ban allows for hybridized models, Palmer thinks it would be absolutely useless. As he explained, “In 2040 there won’t be a pure combustion car, because hybridization and plug-in hybridization will be there with room to spare." He added, "I genuinely believe plug-in hybrids will represent 40% of the mix even by 2030, so this 2040 ban would be late.”

Palmer went on to say the ban comes at the worst possible time as it builds on the uncertainly of Brexit and will have a number of companies rethinking their investments even though 2040 is still a long ways off.