From 2040 as part of a shift towards electric cars, France will outlaw the sale of vehicles that use internal combustion engines. This is part of a wider trend.
Recently Volvo said that it would build only electric and hybrid vehicles from 2019.
The Times reports that the proposal forms part of an ambitious plan to meet targets under the Paris climate agreement where France aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
Diesel and petrol vehicles make up about 95 per cent of new cars on its roads at present.As part of the plan, poorer households will receive a premium so they can swap their polluting vehicles for clean alternatives.
In a report from The Independent, ClientEarth CEO James Thornton reacted to the news saying:
“This is a huge statement of intent from the French government and an example of how we’re likely to see exponential change in the coming years as governments grapple with the necessary changes we have to make for air quality and our climate.
Coming hot on the heels of Volvo’s announcement yesterday, the outlook for the internal combustion engine is bleak. This is now clearly the direction of travel and industry players who are not on board will find themselves struggling before long.
These moves should be heeded by other governments and industry, who need to act to protect us from air pollution in our towns and cities and help mitigate climate change.”
