PARIS • France will end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 as part of an ambitious plan to meet its targets under the Paris climate accord, new Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot announced yesterday.

"We are announcing an end to the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040," Mr Hulot said, calling it a "veritable revolution".

Mr Hulot, a veteran environmental campaigner, said France will offer tax incentives to replace diesel-powered cars that are more than 20 years old and petrol-driven cars made before 2001.

The government will also end oil and gas exploration in French territory, eliminate coal-fired power plants by 2022 and encourage home owners to produce their own energy.

"The target is a tough one," Mr Hulot said. "But France wants to become the No. 1 green economy."

The minister added that France's car industry was well equipped to make the switch.

French car manufacturers Peugeot, Citroen and Renault ranked first, second and third on a list last year of large car manufacturers with the lowest carbon emissions, the European Environment Agency said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BLOOMBERG