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Results of the G7 summit may make fossil fuels a thing of the past by 2100

2015 BMW M4 exhaust
Image used with permission by copyright holder
We all know that many of the things we do for fun aren’t necessarily good for us, including our love of cars. While vehicle electrification and alternative fuel development has made large strides, many feel the emission regulation needs to be far stricter than they have been, and that is just what the world leaders at this year’s G7 summit agreed to do.

In their latest meeting, world leaders from seven countries — Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom — as well as representatives from the European Union, declared they will use their influence to move away from fossil fuels by the end of the century.

Yes, that’s a while from now, but the summit declaration states that the group supports the goal of reducing emissions by as much as 70 percent in 2050.

Putting aside the need to secure a better future for generations to come, more personal concerns are that the effects of climate change are already rearing their ugly heads. Changing things soon should help mitigate the impact we’ve made. Furthermore, the G7 plans to influence the economy that give incentive to lean toward cleaner energy sources. Hitting that 2050 goal will mean that within the next 10 to 20 years, we’ll already start seeing changes.

All the petrol heads stockpiling fuel barrels for the bleak, combustion-free future, there’s some news that should put your mind at ease. While the G7 leaders certainly have influence, none of what they say are binding laws, so gas-powered cars aren’t going to be illegal anytime soon.

That being said, fossil fuel power has always had its days numbered, just like the fuel sources that preceded it, like coal. Take comfort in the fact that, after many of us have shuffled off, cars will still live on, and so will the love of driving, regardless of whats under the hood.

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Alexander Kalogianni
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…
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