The European Parliament has voted to ban all sales of new gasoline and diesel cars and vans in the bloc from 2035.
It’s a huge move that could speed up the move to electric vehicles.
The ambitious goal was given the green light after 339 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favor of the plans.
Almost 250 MEPs voted against it and 24 abstained.
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The proposal still needs to be approved by the European Council before it comes into law.
If it passes, it will be one of the biggest crackdowns on CO2-emitting cars in the world, according to CNN Business.
And it comes at a time when gas prices are skyrocketing.
But MEPs can now negotiate with the European Union’s 27 member states.
The bloc is the third biggest polluter in the world, with cars being responsible for 12 percent of the EU’s CO2 emissions, France24 reported.
“With these standards, we are creating clarity for the car industry and can stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers,” EU rapporteur Jan Huitema said.
“In addition, purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers.
“I am thrilled that the European Parliament has backed an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 and supported a 100 percent target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050.”
A center-right faction of the parliament had opposed the plan.
Some sought to water it down to a 90 percent ban.
“We don’t think that politicians should decide if the electric vehicles or synthetic fuels are the best choice,” German MEP Peter Liese said, according to CNN Business.
“I personally believe that most consumers will buy an electrical car if we give them the necessary infrastructure and that’s what we need to do.”
Meanwhile the UK, who left the EU back in 2020, said it would stop new gasoline and diesel car sales from 2030.
But some hybrids would still continue to be sold until 2035.
If you are looking to get yourself an EV, we have rounded up the cheapest options on the market here.
