Austria Considers Prohibiting New Gas and Diesel Autos by 2020

By Paul Gipe

Austria’s Economics & Environment Ministry has launched a study to determine how to make an energy transition beginning in 2020, according to an article in the Salzburger Nachrichten. The study’s proposals include prohibiting sales of new gasoline- and diesel-fueled autos in preference to electric vehicles, and implementation of a carbon tax. The study’s scenarios reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2030 and 90% by 2050 relative to 2005.

Previously, Norway and the Netherlands have also begun discussing whether to limit sales of new gasoline and diesel cars to reduce air pollution.