Spain may ban diesel, gasoline car sales under new law
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RespondMADRID -- Spain is considering a ban on sales of diesel and gasoline cars beginning in 2040 to counter climate change.
Outlawing new polluting automobiles is one of several measures envisioned in coming legislation, as Spain tries to bring national regulations into line with countries including the UK and France, according to a briefing note circulated to journalists.
"Some of the most important necessary changes affect transport," the document said. "From 2040, the registration and sale in Spain of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles that directly emit carbon dioxide will not be permitted."
The draft law would set goals for 2030 and 2050 in cutting emissions and promoting renewable power and energy efficiency. It’s part of Spain’s effort to enshrine its obligations under the Paris Climate Accord. It must seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels in 2030 and by 90 percent in 2050, according to the government.
The plan is included in a draft document for a law on climate change which Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government hopes to present to parliament by the end of the year.
With 84 Socialist deputies in Spain’s 350-seat parliament, the government needs to build cross-party alliances to get major legislation passed. The law will require approval by parliament, where Sanchez holds less than a quarter of the seats.
Sanchez has struggled to find support for any major proposals, including next year's budget, in the face of opposition led by the conservative People's Party which dominates the upper and lower houses.
Britain and France have already pledged to ban gasoline and diesel cars from 2040, which will mean big changes for the global car industry and put a squeeze on oil producers' profits.
Some British politicians have said London should bring the ban forward to 2032, a more ambitious deadline already adopted by Scotland, while Denmark wants to make the move by 2030.
Reuters contributed to this report
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