There is no doubt that the internal-combustion car has an expiration date. No one is certain when that day will come, but it’s increasingly clear that it could happen in our lifetimes. In case you needed more proof, the French government announced today that it’s taking steps towards banning the sale of new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars by 2040.

The AFP news service reported that this announcement came as part of a new environmental plan presented Thursday by France’s environmental minister, Nicolas Hulot. This new plan reflects French president Emmanuel Macron’s desire for his country to be a leader in combatting climate change and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Hulot said that the end of gas- and diesel-powered car sales in France would be a “veritable revolution” and that ending their sale is a matter of “public health.” Additionally, he believes that French automakers like Peugeot Citroën and Renault are capable of making the transition to EV sales exclusively. This new environmental plan notes that the transportation sector is the largest producer of greenhouse gases in the country but that the rise of electric cars will help combat this. In a speech today, Hulot said the goal of eliminating gas and diesel cars by 2040 is ambitious, but he believes it’s doable. Norway and India aim to do the same in 2025 and 2030, respectively.
Le Monde reported today that Hulot is promising financial incentives for ...