The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that the United Kingdom will end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, ten years earlier than planned, with hybrid cars to follow in 2035 subject to strict standards on zero emissions.
To support what has been deemed the phasing out of fossil-powered vehicles, the British Prime Minister announced £1.3 billion to accelerate the rollout of charge points for electric vehicles in homes, streets and on motorways across England, so people can more easily and conveniently charge their cars.
Another £582 million in grants, will be for those buying zero or ultra-low emission vehicles to make them cheaper to buy and incentivise more people to make the transition.
He also announced nearly £500 million to be spent in the next four years for the development and mass-scale production of electric vehicle batteries.
Johnson confirmed the ban on fossil-powered vehicles whilst outlining a Ten Point Plan for UK’s Green Industrial Revolution.
He said, “Although this year has taken a very different path to the one we expected, the UK is looking to the future and seizing the opportunity to build back greener.”
“The recovery of our planet and of our economies can and must go hand-in-hand. As we look ahead to hosting the COP26 climate summit next year, I am setting out an ambitious plan for a green industrial revolution that will transform the way we live in the UK.”
“This is a shared global challenge – every country in the world needs to take action to secure the future of the planet for our children, grandchildren and generations to come.”
Ten other countries that have announced plans to ban gas-fuelled cars include China, Costa Rica – 2050, Denmark – 2030, France – 2040, Ireland – 2030, Netherlands – 2030, Singapore – 2040, Slovenia – 2030, Sri Lanka 2040 and Sweden – 2030.
Zimbabwe’s National Climate Change Response Strategy in terms of the transport sector include introducing a transport policy framework that encourages the use of transport with low carbon emissions and also integrating climate resilience into transport planning and infrastructural development.
The country has also planned to increase the production of lithium batteries in anticipation of boom in demand through the use of electric cars.