France to Ban Diesel Cars From Next Year

France is one of the very few countries where more than 80 per cent of cars are powered by diesel engines. However, that might be about to change since France's Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, is planning to 'progressively' ban diesel cars from 2015. The move is said to be a part of a broader environmental effort.

The French government will launch a car identification system next year that will rate vehicles in accordance with the amount of pollution they produce, which will, in turn, help authorities limit city access to the 'dirtiest' cars.

Valls said France has long favoured the diesel engine, and it needs to be undone, albeit 'progressively'. He also hinted at a change in taxation policy to motivate citizens to opt for more ecological choices. The 2015 budget will most likely reduce the tax advantage gap between diesel and petrol. Under the current tax regime, diesel is 15 per cent cheaper than petrol.

Earlier this year, France's Energy Minister, Segolene Royal, also announced that drivers willing to ditch diesel cars for electric ones will be given a bonus of up to 10,000 euros.