Carmakers say fossil-fuel vehicle ban will dent industry and stall sales

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders calls for more customer incentives to buy electric and criticises outright ban

Britain's car industry has warned that the government's proposed ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040 risks damaging the industry and stalling sales of new cars.

Mike Hawes, chief of executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders trade body, said that carmakers were working with ministers on the switch to electric cars but called for the government to use carrots rather than sticks.