Electric vehicles are gaining momentum. The United Kingdom is planning to phase out all diesel and petrol cars by 2040. This news follows an announcement by France which stated the same ban and date several weeks ago. France’s ban followed a statement by Volvo, a Swedish car manufacturer, which said it would only make hybrid and fully electric cars from 2019 onwards.
Such decisions are being seen as the end of the era of combustion engines. Other countries like Germany and the Netherlands are also considering similar bans with more automakers expected to shift production towards electric vehicles in the coming years.
While this may be a tough decision for some carmakers, it is in-line with the interests of public health which is the main driver of these recently announced bans. Banning gasoline vehicles is a very effective way of combatting air pollution and in particular the rising levels of nitrogen oxide in the air.
The UK government estimates such environmental risk is responsible for up to 2.7 billion pounds in lost productivity per year and growing. Air pollution directly related to vehicles may also be responsible for up to 40,000 premature deaths per year. While the UK has considered introducing “clean air zones” which tax motorists, these measures are being considered the last resort because it puts the responsibility on citizens rather than manufacturers. Policies which directly tax citizens can lead to widespread public criticism.
While 2040 seems like a long ways off, a period of 23 years for a ban as large as this will give manufacturers sufficient time to prepare. It is also near enough for manufacturers to take seriously as it will immediately impact the direction they take in regards to the production and long-term outlook of electric cars. However, there are many groups which believe the time-frame is too long-term. Air pollution currently kills about 9,000 people per year in London, and the 2040 announcement has been met with scepticism by those that believe air pollution needs to be addressed right away.
