The Netherlands Could be the First Country to Ban Gas, Diesel Vehicles

The Netherlands are looking to ban gas- and diesel-powered cars in the near future. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

By Nicole Mortillaro Science and Weather Reporter Global News

Gas-powered vehicles could be a thing of the past if Dutch politicians have their way.

A proposal has been put forth by the Netherlands’ Labour Party to ban gas- and diesel-powered cars by 2025.

John Vos, a member of the Labour Party, told the Yale Climate Connection, “We need to phase out CO2 emissions and we need to change our pattern of using fossil fuels if we want to save the Earth.”

While I totally agree with switching to a cleaner form of propulsion and getting out from under the gouging of oil companies, this gesture is unlikely to make any measurable difference in the global temperature. 

Unfortunately this report makes no mention of trucks or tourists; presumably they won't turn you away at the border because your Audi is petrol-powered.

But in a small, flat country like the Netherlands, the idea might just work. And, it might catch on in many other countries after which the global temperature change may almost be measurable. But I doubt it.

While the proposal may sound like an ambitious endeavour, the country isn’t the only one looking for such a ban: India — a country with stifling air pollution — as well as Norway, Germany and Austria are making similar proposals.

However, it’s the Netherlands that has made the biggest advance. The proposal has already passed through the lower parliament and could become law soon.

Though the country has about 20,000 charging stations, Vos said that more will have to be installed. Another challenge before the country can impose an all-out ban, is making electric and hydrogen cars more affordable.


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