STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP):

Swedes who buy an environmentally friendly car will get a 10,000 kronor (US$1,400) cash award from the government, the environment minister said last Thursday.

The offer, starting next month and lasting through 2009, is part of the government's push to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. "The environmental advantages should be felt in the heart, but also in the wallet," Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren said.

The government expects the move to spur the sale of so-called green cars by 10-15 per cent. Those cars include gasolene-driven vehicles that release less than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, electrical cars and vehicles running o fuels.

As of 2012, the European Union plans to lower emissions limits for new cars to 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Sweden-based carmaker Volvo, which is owned by Ford Motor Co., criticised the government's proposal, saying it will favour makers of smaller cars because those are typically more fuel efficient.

"It's up to them to reach the requirements that have been set globally. But yes, small cars isn't really their market," government spokesman Tomas Uddin said about Volvo's concerns.