If humanity is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid making the Earth uninhabitable, we need to stop burning fossil fuels. Transport is a key emitter, so this means we need to stop using fossil fuelled vehicles. A number of countries have already committed to do this, and Ireland has become the latest:
The Irish government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, as part of a major new strategy to protect the environment.
The aim is to ensure that all new cars and vans on Irish roads in 11 years' time are electric vehicles.
[...]
The hope is that by the time the petrol and diesel vehicle ban is introduced in 2030 there will be 950,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads.
The government is set to invest in a "nationwide" charging network to power the new vehicles.
At least one recharging point will be required at new non-residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces by 2025.
Banning new imports is only the start - you also need to get legacy vehicles off the roads. Ireland plans to no longer issue registrations for fossil fuelled vehicles from 2045 - a window which gives plenty of time to make the switch. The question is whether it is fast enough, but its a plan, which can be sped up as required.
So, what's New Zealand's plan? Oh yes - let the market sort it out. Heckuva job the government is doing there.
