EU approves ban on new petrol and diesel car sales

The European Union (EU) has today approved the ban on selling new petrol and diesel powered cars.

Under the new law, carmakers in Europe will have to reduce their CO2 emissions by 100 per cent for all of their new vehicles by 2035.

This effectively means that all new fossil fuel-powered cars and vans can no longer be sold in EU member countries.

It also states they will have to cut their emissions by 55 per cent from 2021 levels by 2030.

However, small scale carmakers who make between 1000 and 10,000 cars a year will have until 2036 to meet the emissions targets.

Manufacturers which make less than 1000 cars a year could also be exempt from the new rules entirely.

“This regulation encourages the production of zero- and low-emission vehicles. It contains an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 and a zero-emission target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050,” says EU spokesperson Jan Huitema.

“These targets create clarity for the car industry and stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers.

“Purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers and a second-hand market will emerge more quickly. It makes sustainable driving accessible to everyone.”

Similar legislation is being drawn up in New Zealand with the Government proposing a ban on all new petrol and diesel vehicle sales around the same time.