On Thursday October 12, 2017, transport officials in Paris came together to reveal plans that would impact the lives of the city's population forever. They announced plans to ban diesel and petrol cars from the city by 2030, forcing a major shift in the way Parisians will get around. Cue shock reaction and headlines spelling the death of the car. But not as far as we're concerned. The answer? Easy - go electric.
By round eight of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Paris (April 28), the series will have held 40 races, in 18 different countries, on five continents. With that track record, it's fair to say we know a thing or two about making electric cars run fast and hard on city streets all over the world - it's what we do best.
With the Paris race next on the list and - to celebrate World Earth Day today - we took a trip around the city's streets to find out why Paris is bidding adieu to the combustion engine and ushering the latest technology to enter into a new age of electric mobility.
So why the ban in 2030?
In 2016, research suggested that 48,000 deaths in France were related to air pollution, with 2500 of those in Paris alone. Contributing to the air quality pandemic is, yep, you guessed it - combustion engined cars, alongside heavy industry and chemical production and use. "Fighting the air pollution caused by road traffic is a priority for our cities and a daily challenge," said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris.
But it's not all bad news for the citizens of Paris - far from it. With a whole host of initiatives underway, Paris is a leading light in the shift towards all-electric mobility. Here's a snapshot of what the city's up to.
No. 1 EV country in the world
France has been ranked first in the Electric Car Index, installing a third more charging points in 2017 than anywhere else in the world, with a total of 12,000.
It's got two EV manufacturers in Formula E
With both Renault and DS (the luxury arm of PSA Group) - based in Paris, it's hardly surprising the city's one of the best for EVs. Transferring all their learnings from their race teams' - DS Virgin Racing and Renault e.dams - to the road, Formula E helps both Renault and DS create the very best all-electric road cars for everyday drivers, so you too can be like Buemi. Well, sort of.
Zoe's the word
The all-electric Renault Zoe has been top of the EV sales charts since 2013, with 48,582 units registered since first went on sale in 2012 up until the end of 2017.
Frances' 7 million chargers by 2030
Regarding charging infrastructure, the French government’s objective is to reach seven million charging points for hybrid and electric vehicles by 2030.
Don't miss out on all the action. Click here to be a part of the 2018 Qatar Airways Paris E-Prix.