The UK Government has confirmed its intention to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the country from 2040, as part of plans to tackle air pollution.
It had already been recently revealed that the UK was strongly considering such plans, as part of wide-ranging efforts to meet emission reduction targets set by the Paris climate accord.
Plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars in the future have now been fleshed out more.
The Government is proposing more ‘clean air zones’, like the congestion charge areas in London, to be applied across the UK. Ministers are also set to reveal a £255 million fund to help councils tackle emissions from diesel vehicles, as well as a £3 billion package to spend on improving air quality.
The £255 million fund will go towards changing road layouts, including how speed bumps, roundabout and speed limits are utilised. The air quality package will go towards various council plans such as greener buses, converting existing public transport and new cycling and walking schemes.
£100 million is also set to be used to invest in improving the UK’s charging infrastructure, as the Government and numerous major car manufacturers turn greater attention towards electric cars.
Ministers are also set to consult on a scrappage scheme for diesel cars later this year, but no firm commitment on such a plan has been made so far. Also, hybrid cars are not part of the petrol and diesel cars ban.
