Now France plans petrol car ban

THE pressure on car makers to go electric intensified yesterday as France vowed to end the sale of diesel and petrol vehicles by 040.

Speaking at a climate conference in Paris, environment minister Nicolas Hulot said the state would place a ‘heavy’ burden on car makers to switch to fully electric and hybrid models

Although he did not specify whether this would amount to an outright ban, the former wildlife TV presenter said: ‘We are announcing the end of the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by 040.’

He described the move as a ‘veritable revolution’ as the country tries to tackle air pollution and become ‘carbon neutral’ by 050 – reducing net carbon dioxide emissions to zero by taking action to cut or offset them.

Mr Hulot said the French government will also ban any ‘new project to use petrol, gas or coal’, as well as shale oil, by 040. He paid tribute to the Swedish car firm Volvo, which has announced that all its new models built after next year will have either fully electric engines or be hybrid, combining electric and conventional motors.

The bold declaration of intent by France piles pressure on other countries to take a similarly aggressive approach to tackling air pollution.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said last night it remains Britain’s ‘ambition’ for nearly all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 040. The aim is that all will be zero emission ten years later.

But the Government has shied away from the rhetoric of the French, suggesting it will take a softer approach.

VOLVO DEATH KNELL FOR PETROL CARS

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