Dutch look to ban gas, diesel car sales by 2025

The parliament of The Netherlands has passed a motion which would require that all new cars sold by 2025 will have to be electrified in some way, rather than fueled solely by gasoline or diesel.

The parliament of The Netherlands has passed a motion which would require that all new cars sold by 2025 will have to be electrified in some way, rather than fueled solely by gasoline or diesel.

The Dutch government hasn't yet banned gas and diesel-powered cars, however, and the motion does allow for hybrid cars to be sold beyond 2025.

The country's senate still must approve the motion pushed by the Dutch Labor Party, and it has already faced pushback from Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp, who alleges that it violates European Union law.

Kamp suggests that cars that meet EU emissions standards are, by default, required to be legal in EU member states, including The Netherlands.

The motion doesn't legislate gas and diesel vehicles sold up to 2025, however, meaning that if it becomes law, Dutch motorists won't need to give up their current cars.

Through the first three months of this year, the Tesla Model S is Holland's best-selling electric car. 

Although localized governments have sought to ban public cars from urban streets in a number of European cities, the Dutch Labor Party's motion is by far the most aggressive campaign against gas and diesel cars yet.

Interestingly, Holland is home to one of Europe's larger automotive assembly plants. Currently, the NedCar facility, which was once controlled by Volvo, builds MINI Coopers under contract for BMW.

This article first appeared in MotorAuthority.