The German parliament has taken the radical step of passing a resolution to ban the gasoline and diesel internal combustion engine by 2030.
The country’s top legislative body was able to reach bipartisan agreement on the resolution, which would phase out the use of all fossil-fuel cars on German roads within 14 years, allowing only electric cars with zero emissions on the road.
It’s a significant development, since many policies passed in Germany have gone on to form the basis of regulations across the European Union.
The resolution could be seen as a response to last year’s emission cheating scandal by German auto giant Volkswagen. The automaker admitted to cheating emission requirements in the United States, which has cost Volkswagen tens of billions of dollars to resolve in court while hurting its reputation globally.
But Germany’s resolution is more likely a response to last year’s Paris climate change deal among 196 countries.
“If the Paris agreement to curb climate-warming emissions is to be taken seriously, no new combustion engine cars should be allowed on roads after 2030,” said Greens party lawmaker Oliver Krischer in Spiegel Magazine on Saturday.
The European Union submitted formal documents to the United Nations last week to join the Paris agreement, which means the deal will take effect in less than 30 days.
