UK to ban fossil fuel new car sales 5 years early

The UK plans to being forward its ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars to 2035, five years earlier than initially planned. It will also include a ban on hybrid vehicles.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally announced the plan on Tuesday (February 4) as well as details of the United Nations' COP26 climate summit due to take place in Glasgow in November.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON SAYING:

"This phenomenon of of global warming is taking its toll on the most vulnerable populations around the planet, which is why the UK has now committed £11.6 billion in tackling global climate change and financing climate initiatives around the world."

Britain has set itself a net zero emissions target by 2050 and Johnson believes this revised diesel and gas ban can help get there faster.

The idea has come in for criticism though by the former British government minister picked to oversee the COP26 summit.

Claire O'Neill, was once energy minister and chosen by Johnson to lead the event until she was fired last week, accusing Johnson of a lack of leadership on the issue.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER ENERGY MINISTER AND HEAD OF COP26 CLAIRE O'NEILL SAYING:

"The Prime Minister has made incredibly warm statements about this over the years. He's also admitted to me he doesn't really understand it."

France plans to ban the sale of fossil fuel-powered cars by 2040 whilst Norway's parliament has gone a step further with a non-binding zero emissions car goal by 2025.

Britain may have a long road ahead though, with diesel and gas models still accounting for 90% of vehicle sales.

And the government will need to push infrastructure, such as charging stations, to support the entire population.

Some prospective buyers of greener models are still put off by the cost and limited availability of charging points.