NORWAY will reportedly ban the sale of all fossil fuel-based cars in the next decade, continuing its trend towards becoming one of the most ecologically progressive countries on the planet.

The four parties that rule together through a system of proportional representation have reached some concrete conclusions about 100% of Norwegian cars running on green energy by 2025, according to the country's media.

Norwegian newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv reports that the parties have also agreed on a new climate tax on electricity.

Some uncertainty remains about the commitment of populist right-wing Framstegspartiet, or Progress Party, to the car law.If passed, however, it would be particularly significant because a large proportion of Norway's funds rely on the country's petroleum industry.

The report also follows the announcement that Norway will become the first country in the world to commit to zero deforestation.

About 24% of the country's cars already run on electricity and Norway is a heavy producer of renewable energy, with more than 99% of electricity covered by hydropower.Norway also aims to triple its capacity of wind power by 2020.- THE INDEPENDENT