NEW petrol, diesel and hybrid cars have been banned from being sold in Europe.
The move comes in a bid to speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
New petrol, diesel and hybrid cars have been banned from being sold in EuropeAlamy
The European Parliament has formally approved a law to ban the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars in the European Union from 2035.
By 2035, automakers would have to achieve a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from newly marketed vehicles.
This means that no new fossil fuel-powered vehicles could be sold in the 27 countries of the EU.
With 340 votes in favour, 279 against and 21 abstentions, the new law also set a path for more immediate emissions reduction targets.
Emissions from new automobiles and vans sold after 2030 must be reduced by 55% and 50%, respectively, from levels in 2021.
The previous 2030 emissions target for new cars sold was 37.5%.
The UK government has already announced its own intentions to stop selling new gasoline and diesel vehicles from 2030.
But some hybrids are allowed to stay on the market for an additional five years.
Under the EU’s new directive, ‘low volume’ manufacturers will be exempt from the C02 emissions targets.
Until the end of 2035, only automakers that build between 1,000 and 10,000 new cars each year will be exempt from the CO2 targets.
Jan Huitema, the EU Parliament’s lead negotiator for the law, said: “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.
“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.”