China to phase out petrol and diesel cars

China is considering to ban the production of petrol and diesel cars in favour of electric vehicles, The Guardian has reported.

The move is part of aims to reduce pollution in Beijing, similar to France and Britain’s plan to outlaw the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040.

Xin Guobin, vice-minister of industry and information technology, told a forum in the northern city of Tianjin at the weekend that his ministry had started “relevant research” and was working on a timetable for China.

The Guardian states that Xin said the policy would be implemented “in the near future”, according to official Xinhua news agency.