Germany's federal council, the Bundestrat, passed a resoltuion on October 11 to ban combustion engine cars by 2030.
The electric revolution is well underway in Europe but not moving fast enough for the Germans. If the ban goes through German citizen will only be allowed to buy electric or hydrogen-fuelled cars. The resoltuion calls on the European Commission to implement the ban across the European Union. It also urges the European Commision to "review the current practices of teaxation and dues with regard to a stimulation of emission-free mobility."
German Greens party's Oliver Krischer said: :If the Paris agreement to curb climate-warming emissions is to be taken seriously, no new combustion engine cars should be allowed on roads after 2030."
A switch to zero-emmisions car is likely to put thousands of German auto industry jobs at risk as electric cars only require 10 percent of the work force to assemble."
If the ban is passed, industry observers and climate lobbyists agree that this could be a pivotal moment in the shift towards a cleaner transport system. Germany has a significant influence on European legislation.