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France wants to outlaw gas, diesel vehicles by 2040

Posted at 10:52 AM, Jul 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-07 10:52:28-04

The internal combustion engine has been around more than a century, but France has set a deadline to rid it from the European country: 2040.

Automakers would then only be allowed to produce hybrid cars or vehicles running on electricity or clean energy sources.

Government representative Nicolas Hulot told CNN the goal would turn French manufacturers into market leaders. To reach the goal, he said France would support the development of alternative fuels and finance infrastructure for electric car charging.

There’s also talk of a cash-for-clunkers program to pay people to turn over their gas-guzzling cars for cleaner options.

In June, French President Emmanuel Macron called on people to “make our planet great again” as President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement.

The announcement came just one day after Swedish carmaker Volvo announced all cars it makes from 2019 will have electric motors.