Paris plans to ban all petrol and diesel fuelled cars by 2030

According to Reuters, the Paris City Hall announced on Thursday that it plans to introduce a petrol and diesel phase-out plan in Paris by 2030, as a way to tackle significantly high levels of air pollution.

Through the statement, Paris City Hall said that France has already set a target to ban the sale of new diesel cars by 2040, and this required phase-out plans in large cities.

Nicolas Hulot, Minister of Environment, had said: "This government goal affects the whole French territory, rural zones included”.

"If we want to achieve this, it implies that the end of diesel and gasoline should take place several years in advance in urban areas and particularly in big cities”.

As reported by Reuters, Christophe Najdovski, an official responsible for transport policy at the office of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, said: “This is about planning for the long term with a strategy that will reduce greenhouse gases”.

“Transport is one of the main greenhouse gas producers. So we are planning an exit from combustion engine vehicles, or fossil-energy vehicles, by 2030”.

The ban on petrol-fuelled vehicles marks the escalation of an increasingly radical anti-pollution policy.

Paris has already established no-car zones, car-free days, and fines and restrictions for drivers who enter the city centre with older than 20 years cars.

Paris has seen rising air pollution levels during the past years, with some pollution spikes being so intense that the City Hall was forced to restrict half of the capital’s cars and make public transportation free for several days.

The anti-pollution measures have received criticism from the public, so the Paris statement noted that officials from the city hall will keep discussing the issue with residents and car makers in the coming months.