Honda to Cease Diesel Vehicles in Europe in 2021

Honda Motors Co. announced Monday it would phase out all diesel cars by 2021 in favor of the models with electric propulsion systems, as the Japanese automaker moves to electrify all of its European cars by 2021.

Honda is the latest automaker ceasing production of diesel cars to meet rigorous global emission regulations. The plan of ditching diesel vehicles is part of its long-term goal to make electric cars, including all battery-electric vehicles, to account for two-thirds of its lineup by 2030 from less than 10 percent now.

By next year, The European Union targets to cut carbon dioxide to 95 grams per kilometer for 95 percent of cars from the current 120.5 gram average. All the new cars in the EU must be compliant in 2021.