UK banning the sale of new gas and diesel vehicles by 2040

July 25th, 2017  |  Canadian Business

UK has stated that as of 2040, there will be a ban on the sale of all new gasoline and diesel powered cars. Part of this plan is to rid the roads of gas and diesel powered cars entirely by 2050.

"The Conservatives had a manifesto promise to ensure that by 2050 there would be no diesel or petrol vehicles on our roads," said Britain’s Environment Secretary, Michael Gove. “Today we are confirming that that means there should be no new diesel or petrol vehicles by 2040."

The UK’s decision comes on the heels on France’s July 6^th announcement of also banning new gas and diesel cars by 2040. As well as Volvo’s pledge to stop making cars and SUVs that run solely off of internal combustion engines, and BMW’s plan to put a fully electric Mini into production in 2019.

As part of a £3 billion ($4.9 billion CAN) clean air strategy, £255 million ($416.5 million CAN) will be spent to help local authorities tackle high percentage emissions, and improve infrastructure, easing the transition into 2040.

"What we're saying to local authorities is come up with an imaginative solution to these proposals," said Gove of how the government attributed £255 million is to be spent.

Currently a scrappage program compensating those who dispose of their older, less eco-friendly cars is not in place, but the idea is being revisited in the fall.