Holland prepares for internal combustion sales ban in 2030
The Dutch government has confirmed plans to ban the sale of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles in 2030.
The decision is part of a plan to cut CO2 levels by 49 per cent ahead of 2030. According to NL Times, the internal combustion ban will be accompanied by the closure of all coal-fired power stations within Dutch borders by the same date.
Should it go ahead, the ban would make Holland one of the first nations to completely block the sale of petrol- and diesel-powered cars. Although similar plans are in place for the UK and France, the bans aren’t expected to take effect until 2040.
German chancellor, Angela Merkel, says she supports the idea of an internal combustion sales ban, but hasn’t committed to a date as yet. China has also announced it’s working on phasing out new fossil fuel-powered vehicles, much to the chagrin of GM CEO, Mary Barra.
Norway, which has positioned itself as aggressively pro-electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), has set 2025 as the cutoff for sales of pure internal-combustion vehicles.
To support the transition to a cleaner, greener transport future, the Dutch government will be pouring €100 million ($149.8 million) into bike infrastructure. There are already healthy subsidies on all EV purchases in the Netherlands, too, helping drive strong sales growth.
Tesla currently owns the top-two spots on the EV sales charts in Holland with the Model S and Model X respectively, with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric rounding out the podium.
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