In an address on Thursday, France’s environment minister, Nicolas Hulot, said that the country would aim to phase out electricity from coal-fired plants by 2022 and end the sale of gas and diesel internal combustion cars by 2040.
France relies heavily on nuclear energy—more than 70 percent of the country’s energy mix is nuclear—and coal-fired plants only contribute to around four percent of France’s electric production.
In addition, Hulot noted a law would be proposed later this year to potentially end any new operating licenses for oil, gas, and coal mining.
Hulot called the end of the sale of gas and diesel cars “a public health agenda” and mentioned Volvo’s recent commitment to only sell electric or hybrid vehicles by 2019.
Engadget notes that the French government owns a considerable stake in PSA, owner of Peugeot and Citroen, as well as Renault.
Hulot didn’t say whether plug-in hybrid electric vehicles would be factored into the ban or not.
Recent numbers from Germany reflect how daunting moving a country’s transportation sector away from fossil fuels can be. »
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