Britain Bans Petrol, Diesel Cars From 2040
Britain announced on Wednesday that it will ban sales of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles from 2040.
The government said the initiative is part of plans to eradicate air pollution in the country.
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According to them, airborne pollution is the “biggest environmental risk” to public health, and cutting off sales will help mitigate air pollution quickly.
Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, warned that “Britain can’t carry on” with petrol and diesel cars because of the damage they cause to people’s health and the planet. “There is no alternative to embracing new technology,” he said.
Britain is considered the second largest car market in Europe after Germany with about 2.7 million new vehicles registered in 2016.
David Bailey, a professor of industrial strategy at Aston Business School said: “Ending diesel and petrol car sales by 2040 is a step in the right direction but given that electric cars are coming anyway this is probably pretty irrelevant. It’s a bit like saying we’re banning the sale of steam engines by 2040,”
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Car experts believe that the demand for electric cars will drastically get high once they are made to be cheaper than petrol and diesel powered cars.
“Much depends on the cost of these new technologies and how willing consumers are to adopt battery, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars,” said Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. “Consumers have concerns over affordability, range and charging points.”
The blueprint highlighted roughly £1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) in government investment designed to help ensure that every vehicle on the road in Britain produces zero emissions by 2050.
The British government said action was needed because gasoline and diesel engines contribute to health problems, “accelerate climate change, do damage to the planet and the next generation.”
About 40,000 deaths are recorded in Britain yearly and are attributable to outdoor air pollution, according to a study published last year by the Royal College of Physicians. Polluted air has been linked to cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, among other health issues.
