GM plans to phase out gas, diesel engines

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Earlier this year, a couple of European car-making companies announced they had plans to phase out conventional gas and diesel engines, instead opting to focus solely on hybrid and electric cars.

The Swedish company Volvo, was the first to announce earlier this year that the new 2018 models, will be the last ones to have the conventional gasoline-powered engines. Then last month British company Jaguar Land Rover followed suit announcing that starting in 2020, all Jaguar and Land Rover models will be fully electric or hybrid.

Since European regulations are stricter, it’s unsurprising that European companies are the first ones announcing their plans to head in a more environment-friendly direction. However, on Monday General Motors became the first U.S. car-manufacturer who has also pledged to phase out the conventional engines in the future.

The company didn’t announce a specific year in which they expect the transition to full electric and zero emissions vehicles to occur, but did announce the company has plans to introduce two new fully electric models next year and 18 more by 2023.

“General Motors believes in an all-electric future,” Mark Reuss, the company’s head of product said in a statement. “Although that future won’t happen overnight, GM is committed to driving increased usage and acceptance of electric vehicles through no-compromise solutions that meet our customers’ needs.”

According to Wired. com, the transition will happen at different speeds in different markets and regions.

The new all-electric models will be a mix of battery electric cars and fuel cell-powered vehicles.

France, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Norway are among the countries that have announced plans to ban diesel-powered engines in the next couple of decades, with China and India likely to join them in the foreseeable future.

NY emissions

Last month, New York mayor Bill De Blasio announced ambitious plans for the city to adopt new rules that will require building owners to upgrade their buildings in order to reduce the greenhouse emissions.

According to Futurist, fuel for hot water and heating systems in New York City are the largest sources of emissions at 42 percent of the total. The new rules will apply to buildings 25,000 square feet or larger to meet new emission caps within the next 12 to 17 years.

Most of the improvements expected to take place include water heaters, roofs, windows, and heat distribution systems.