Lib Dems urge end to petrol cars

7.10.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 30th Aug 2007

Environment spokesman Chris Huhne

Petrol-powered cars should be phased out within decades to help fight climate change, say the Lib Dems. Environment spokesman Chris Huhne says cars should use alternative fuel - like hydrogen fuel cells - by 2040 as part of plans to make the UK carbon-neutral. "The EU acting together through the internal market can make sure that change happens," he said.

The government's draft Climate Change Bill aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 60% from 1990 levels by 2050 but last month it was reported that officials had told ministers the UK would miss EU climate change targets by a wide margin. The Lib Dems say they want specific proposals to tackle climate change, including a major upgrade of the rail network, and a new north-south high-speed rail line, paid for through tolls on lorries using the motorways. Mr Huhne added that petrol cars had to be removed from Britain's roads.

"The EU is now committed to reducing the emissions from cars on average. What we are saying is that needs to go further. We need to provide certainty to the car industry and every other industry that is involved in this area to make sure that by 2040 we are using alternative non-carbon emitting fuels. For example, it could be the hydrogen fuel cell, it could be the sort of improvements you have already seen in battery technology."

He said the technology already existed and history had seen more dramatic changes over similar periods - pointing to the switch from steam engine to internal combustion engine.