France to end sale of petrol and diesel cars

The French government has set out an ambitious goal for no more petrol or diesel cars to be sold in the country by 2040. The target was announced by environment minister Nicolas Hulot as part of far-reaching efforts to wean the world’s sixth biggest economy off fossil fuels.

At a news conference unveiling a five-year government plan to encourage clean energy and meet France’s commitments under the Paris climate accord, Mr Hulot said French car manufacturers have projects that “can fulfil that promise”.

His appeal came a day after Sweden’s Volvo became the first major carmaker to pledge to stop making cars powered solely by the internal combustion engine.

France is unusually dependent on diesel fuel, blamed for pollution that often chokes the French capital. The Paris mayor wants to ban diesel vehicles by 2020.

Mr Hulot proposed aid for poorer families to buy cleaner vehicles.