Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo wants to ban diesel-powered cars from the city by 2020, and possibly from a larger part of the country as well, should French authorities agree to the plan.
Chips will be used on passenger cars and light-duty trucks to gauge their emission levels, and highway controls will also be implemented. What's more, certain streets like Avenue des Champs-Élysées could be reserved for green vehicles.
However, the mayor said that drivers with a modest income may be exempted from the proposed ban beyond 2020; their diesel vehicles could be allowed on weekends, for example.
Ultimately, the first, second, third and fourth arrondissements (districts) will eliminate all passenger cars, making room only for pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, as well as delivery and emergency truck drivers. Of course, residents would still have the right to use their car.
Incentives will be launched by France to boost low-emission vehicle sales, and people who get rid of their diesel cars will receive subscriptions to the Autolib’ electric car sharing service. Financial aid is also planned for businesses that switch from a diesel fleet to a cleaner one.
Finally, Hidalgo expects bicycle lanes to double in length by 2020.
Source: lejdd.fr