Phasing out conventional cars 'plays a big part in reducing emissions'

To achieve the European Commission's recent targets to reduce emissions, phasing out conventional cars is essential, one expert claims.

Chairman of the Low Carbon Communities Network Chris Church highlights that transport plays an "inevitable" part in the drive to reduce emissions - and it could come with positive health benefits.

Claiming that the changes should create "cleaner, safer, greener cities", he adds that recent research from the British Medical Association shows that every year car pollution contributes to thousands of early deaths.

By 2030, the European Commission aims to have reduced the number of conventionally fuelled cars by half, while hoping to have phased them out of cities by 2050.

"That does not mean all cars go. It does mean a big increase in electric cars for city use, which is already a paid growth area," comments Mr Church.

Adding that this will be one of the biggest changes in the next 40 years, he states that cities themselves will also be affected, as roads will need to be re-mapped to allow better access to services.