"The future climate plan in Paris does not provide for a ban,” she said.
City hall is not talking about a “ban”, but it instead plans to put incentives in place to electrify its car fleet over the next decade to achieve the goal.
Christophe Najdovski, an official responsible for transport policy at the office of the mayor, announced the incentive program Thursday.
Najdovski told Reuters that the move "is about planning for the long term with a strategy that will reduce greenhouse gases.
"Transport is one of the main greenhouse gas producers…so we are planning an exit from combustion engine vehicles, or fossil-energy vehicles, by 2030,”he said.
According to Hidalgo, Paris has been working towards a climate-friendly air energy plan since November 2016. The plan will be submitted to the Paris Council in November.
As part of the plan, Paris will be a carbon neutral city by 2050 in all areas. The goal is to see the end of diesel engines in Paris by 2024 and petrol by 2030.
This is in keeping with the plan announced by Nicolas Hulot on July 9, 2017, to end the use of thermal vehicles throughout France by 2040.
However, Hidalgo stated, “No prohibition or penalty measures are included in this new climate plan for territorial energy in Paris. In order to achieve the goal of an end to thermal engines in 2030, we have decided to invest in the development of alternatives and in strengthening financial aid that enables individuals and professionals to purchase clean vehicles.
Indeed, the transport sector is in the middle of a revolution. In recent months, many car manufacturers have announced their decision to invest in electric vehicles and gradually disengage from diesel and petrol.”
The mayor went on to stress that public transport in the area is growing rapidly and many cycling routes have been upgraded, encouraging more citizens to make use of bicycles.
Hidalgo concluded, “As a result, you are more and more likely to abandon the polluting car to use clean transport modes and the city of Paris will continue to accompany you and help you, to ensure that this evolution of transport modes is the best for you.”
Photo:Mayor Anne Hidalgo (Facebook)
