Britain To Ban Fuel-Powered Vehicles in 2040

New diesel and petrol cars and vans will be banned in the U.K. by 2040 to curb air pollution.

July 27, 2017

LONDON – Britain’s government announced this week that sales of new diesel and gas-powered cars would be banned by 2040 to combat air pollution.

The New York Times reports that Britain’s plans are similar to a pledge made recently by France. Following the country’s July 7 news, John Eichberger, executive director of the Fuels Institute, commented: “The progress towards a more diversified and sustainable transportation system will continue and government initiatives will spur more rapid adoption, but even France has carved out a safety net for consumers and automakers in the event electric powertrains do not develop to be commercially viable and available in sufficient numbers in time to satisfy the proposed mandate.” He added that that Britain seems to have removed that safety net by including traditional hybrids in its ban.

Britain’s new clean air strategy, notes the Times, calls for sales of new gas and diesel cars and vans to end by 2040. The government will also make 255 million pounds, or $332 million, available for local governments to take short-term action, such as retrofitting buses, to reduce air pollution.

“It is important that we all gear up for a significant change which deals not just with the problems to health caused by emissions, but the broader problems caused in terms of accelerating climate change,” Michael Gove, Britain’s environment secretary, told the BBC.

The Times says that Britain’s announcement suggests that European governments and the public have turned against diesel and internal combustion engines.

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