The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris has been big news in the media over recent weeks. But whilst most of the focus has been on industry and power generation, some important agreements were also reached concerning the automotive sector. This included a combination of 13 country and state bodies forming a Zero Emissions Vehicle Alliance.

Under the agreement by 2050, all new cars sold in these states must be totally emissions-free. Significantly, two of the countries to sign the agreement were Germany and the UK, which both have a major impact on the Irish car market. The agreement effectively means that by 2050 any vehicle made in these countries cannot use petrol or diesel as a primary or secondary source of power, spelling an end to not only conventionally fuelled vehicles, but also hybrids.

The theory is that Germany, the UK the Netherlands, Norway and green thinking US and Canadian states want to promote greener motoring and increase the sales of zero emissions vehicles as fast as possible. This will be achieved through incentives and subsidies for motorists and grants for manufacturing development.