France to end sales of petrol, diesel vehicles by 2040
Diesel, France
New Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot made the announcement today as part of France's bold plan to meet its Paris climate accord targets
As part of its ambitious plan to meet its Paris climate accord targets, France pledged today to end sales of petrol and diesl vehicles by 2040, its new Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot said today according to anAFP report.
"We are announcing an end to the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040," Hulot said, calling it a "veritable revolution". Hulot, a long-time environemental campaigner fresh into politics in his major postunder Macron's new government, has called for France to be "carbon neutral" by 2050.
Hulot said that weaning France off conventional cars was a matter of "public health"; Majot French cities likeParis, Lyon, Grenoble and othershave a chronic smog problem.Hulot'sappointment was seen by many as a testament to Macron's commitment to environmentalism.
French Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition Nicolas Hulot delivers a speech to present his plan on climate on July 6, 2017 in Paris. (AFP)
A prepared Frenchindustry
France is the largest manufacturer of electric cars sold in Europe, with the Renault Zoe outselling by a large margin other models in 2016. Hulot said that French carmakers Peugeot-Citroen and Renault were well equipped to make the change, but conceded that obtaining the goal would be "tough".
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
PM Modi expected to visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as India firms up Central Asia ties
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC T20I rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
Trump, Putin kissing in Amsterdam? Pride parade’s ‘couple’ goes viral | WATCH
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Wipro's margins fall to 15-quarter low as AI investment eats into profit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Bombay High Court canteens inspected after judges question Maharashtra FDA's 'selective' crackdown
)
Pakistan minister admits ‘system has collapsed’, Munir pushes for more provinces | Gravitas
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin detained over 'double-meaning' Trisha remark in Vijay's Tamil Nadu
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
Air India Phuket-Delhi flight drops 300 feet mid-air, 14 injured
)
'He is courageous leader': DK Shivakumar after TN CM Vijay postpone his Cauvery-related Karnataka visit
)
Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand’s 'Sonam Wangchuk' fasting for protesting students?
)
Tamil Nadu leader Udhayanidhi Stalin draws severe backlash over derogatory remark against Trisha
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
22 children dead, 35 infected: India's Gujarat faces Chandipura virus outbreak — Experts explain symptoms
)
Multiple WhatsApp accounts, including in India, are under review for 24 hours. Here’s why
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
This announcement comes a day after Volvo announced it is phasing out its petrol-only cars beginning in 2019. All new Volvos will be either electric or hybrids.
Still, in 2016hybrid and electric cars accounted for only 3.6 per cent of new cars registered in Western Europe, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.
But, undeterred,last monththe 39-year-old Macron hit back at US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would pull out of the 2015 Paris accord with a video vowing to "make our planet great again",a play on Trump's campaign pledge to "make America great again".
Nicolas Hulot himself as also been involved and even starred inviral videos about fighting climate change, like this 2015 one, released before COP 21 in Franceand seen over two million times.
(With agency inputs)