Some of the biggest urban-pollution headlines of the past few years have not come from likely suspects like Beijing and New Delhi, but rather once-pristine European cities, namely Paris, Athens and Madrid.
Now those three capitals, plus notoriously polluted Mexico City, are taking action by getting rid of all diesel vehicles by 2025. They will be the first major cities to enact such a ban, according to a statement released at the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City, according to Quartz.
This is a powerful move in the fight against climate change and could create a market shift against the production of diesel vehicles.
Diesel releases 15 times more emissions than gasoline and has serious effects on human health.
“We no longer tolerate air pollution and the health problems and deaths it causes,” said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. “Big problems like air pollution require bold action, and we call on car and bus manufacturers to join us.”
Diesel cars currently make up almost 50% of the auto market in Europe, compared with 3% in the US.
The ban is only the latest salvo in an ongoing battle. Both Madrid and Paris have tried to cut smog levels by temporarily halving the number of cars.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who last month announced plans to phase out diesel buses and introduce zero-emissions replacements powered by hydrogen, is already under pressure to join the new ban.
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