In an effort to reduce CO2 emissions, France looks to gradually phase out diesel power

Diesels do have some serious benefits — like fuel economy and torque — but, they also have a dark side: emissions.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has announced a new car classification system aimed at bringing emissions down, especially in French cities. Thanks to the new system, many of the financial benefits of diesels could be eliminated, pushing consumers into gasoline-powered alternatives.

“We will progressively undo [French people’s favour of diesel-powered cars], intelligently and pragmatically,” said Valls.

Autocar UK says that approximately 55 percent of vehicles on the road in Europe are diesel powered. They also report regulations aimed at diesel vehicles not meeting the latest EU emissions standards could be implemented in a new Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London by 2020.