It shouldn't have come as a big surprise but it'll likely happen nonetheless. After learning about the UK's plan to ban new gasoline and diesel vehicles beginning in 2040, Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer already has something to say about the issue. Not surprisingly, he's not particularly happy. Speaking to Autocar, Palmer believes the UK government's plans are disastrous and pointless. Worst-case scenario of an outright ban will make businesses, such as Aston Martin and its employees, at considerable risk.

"It's not thinking about the consequential effects to the 800,000 people in our industry," Palmer explained. "It's not taking into account the impact to things like petrol station garages and the (Ford employees) who have been making engines in Bridgend." Basically, Palmer believes automakers "would be forced to stop building our own engines" and, as a result, be forced to head to countries like Japan, China, and South Korea for battery tech. However, because of the already rapid advancement of engine technologies, specifically regarding hybrids and plug-in hybrids, Palmer could see this new legislation as having little to no effect on future trends.

Why? Because "in 2040 there won't be a pure combustion car, because hybridization and plug-in hybridization will be there with room to spare. I genuinely believe plug-in hybrids will represent 40 percent of the mix even by 2030, so this 2040ban would be late." At the same time, however, Palmer believes that "if the government want us to throw away our engines, then it has to work with us." Overall, the government's decision was "the worst possible," because it's far enough away not to be of immediate concern, but short enough that it affects investment decisions" from this point on.