The new Dutch government Tuesday detailed plans to ban gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2030 and shift to vehicles that are battery-powered, as nations move to end the era of the combustion engine.

The coalition government, which has been negotiating plans for the nation’s future since the election in March, said that by 2030 all cars in the Netherlands must be emission-free. The government also said it will invest about €100 million ($118 million) into bicycle infrastructure.

The plans put forward by the Netherlands, one of the greenest countries in the world, are part of its intention to make an agreement with Europe for a 55% emission reduction by 2030. The Netherlands plans to close all of its coal plants by 2030.

It was unclear if the Dutch government ban applies to all gas- and diesel-powered cars or all new cars, which is the case for other countries weighing similar prohibitions.

The Netherlands, which culturally is a strong proponent of bicycling, has considered a ban on gas-powered vehicles since last year.

Other nations have recently announced plans to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles.

The United Kingdom said earlier this year that it would ban sales of new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars starting in 2040. By 2050, all cars on the road must have zero emissions.

Also earlier this year, the French government said it wants to end sales of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040 in its fight against global warming.

India, the world’s second-most populous nation, said earlier this year that every vehicle sold there should be powered by electricity by 2030.

The Norwegian government wants all new passenger cars and vans sold in 2025 to be zero-emission vehicles. Norway has the biggest market share for electric vehicles for any country at about 29%. Sweden is second with 3.4% of the market.

In China, the world’s biggest car market, electric vehicles hold 1.37% of the market. China’s electric car market is experiencing rapid growth, increasing to 650,000 in 2016, the most of any nation, from 100,000 two years earlier.

In the United States, electric vehicles take 0.91% of the market share. There were more than 750,000 electric car sales in 2016.

Get Our Free Investment Newsletter

I have read, and agree to the Terms of Use

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.