Amsterdam’s ban on diesel and petrol vehicles will also include the boats on its canals

Amsterdam is to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles, including the boats that chug along its famous canals, within a decade as authorities attempt to tackle pollution.

The city centre will become fossil fuel-free by 2030 by the phasing out of various modes of transport, and encouraging replacements such as electric and hydrogen-powered cars.

Despite the image of the Dutch as a nation of cyclists, air pollution in the Netherlands’ biggest cities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, are as bad as many other European cities and regularly breach pollution rules.

“Pollution often is a silent killer and is one of the greatest health hazards in Amsterdam,” Sharon Dijksma, Amsterdam’s traffic chief, said. “We want cleaner air for all Amsterdam residents. Amsterdammers live an average of one year