UK: Only hybrid and electric cars

The Liberal Democrats have said that they intend to take climate change more seriously and have suggested banning all petrol and diesel cars by 2040.

The party's environmental spokesman, Chris Huhne, said that he imagined that hydrogen fuel cells, advanced batteries and other new technologies that are yet to be developed will be able to power all the road transport by 2040.

The leader of the party, Sir Menzies Campbell and Huhne announced the proposal as part of a packet of measures designed to make the UK carbon neutral by 2050.

Interestingly, Huhne compared the proposal to the shift from steam engines to combustion engines and from gas lights to battery torches.

To make the idea possible, the UK's energy grid will need to be made carbon neutral by the same time, so that energy used to create hydrogen and recharge batteries is renewably sourced. It was proposed that this will be achieved using carbon-free nuclear generation as well as technologies such as wind and solar power.

Prior to the 2050 target of 100% renewable energy, the Lib Dems are aiming for 30% of power to come from clean, non-carbon-emitting sources by 2020. The current government goal is that 10% of power should come from renewable targets by 2010, while the EU target is for 20% by 2020.

The measures will be debated at the party conference in Brighton next month.

source: nextgreencar