A ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is to come into effect in 2035 or sooner - at least five years earlier than previously planned, Boris Johnson is to announce.
And the ban will be extended to include hybrid cars too.
The Government says the move is designed to protect the planet, by reducing the carbon emissions responsible for climate change. However, it is also expected to benefit carmakers that lead the way in the production of electric vehicles, such as Nissan.
Mr Johnson is to launch the next UN climate conference, known as COP26, with a speech in central London, where he will be joined by TV's Sir David Attenborough and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The summit itself takes place in Glasgow in November.
He will say that the Government plans to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition is feasible. There will be a consultation to consider the correct date, he will say.
The UK has a goal of producing "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050. This means that any carbon emissions produced are balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.
Mr Johnson said:"As we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year, so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions.
"There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a Global Britain is prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming– it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all."
The ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles is being presented as evidence that the Government is serious about cutting emissions. However, the Government also said it would help create "green jobs".
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "This government’s £1.5bn strategy to make owning an electric vehicle as easy as possible is working - last year alone, a fully electric car was sold every 15 minutes.
"We want to go further than ever before. That’s why we are bringing forward our already ambitious target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to tackle climate change and reduce emissions."
Previously, the Government was committed to ending the sale of new “conventional” petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040, with the goal of ensuring almost every vehicle on the road is a “zero-emission” vehicle by 2050.
The House of Commons Business Committee urged the Government to bring forward the ban on petrol vehicles, partly in order to support firms like Nissan, in a report in 2018.
Nissan's Sunderland plant currently produces petrol-driven cars such as the Quashqai and the Juke as well as the world-leading electric car, the Leaf.
