Britain To Phase Out Diesel Vehicles To Improve Air Quality

Following the decision of the UK Supreme Court for the British government to initiate measures to reduce air pollution in cities, Britain will soon phase out diesel vehicles. The court ordered on Wednesday the Department of Environment to craft and submit new air quality plans by December 2015.

The plans must set out radical methods of cutting air pollution. It is in response to the European Commission slapping the UK millions of pounds of fines for failure to curb levels of nitrogen dioxide, reports the Telegraph.

The move, though, is expected to face severe criticism from British motorists who purchased diesel vehicles during the term of then Chancellor Gordon Brown in 2001 who encouraged a “dash for diesel” programme. It is expected to affect 11 million Britons, estimates Edmund King of AA.

Brown made major changes in vehicle excise duty which resulted in vehicles that emitted higher level of carbon dioxide were charged higher vehicle excise duty. It resulted in a shift to diesel cars which emit lower level of carbon dioxide due to the 20 percent higher efficiency of petrol engines. It led to diesel vehicles increasing to 11 million from 1.6 million in just 10 years.

Besides big trucks that run on diesel, the move would also affect taxis and residents who bought people-carriers as it would cause the value of their cars to go down drastically. He said that while better air quality is a common goal. “knee-jerk reactions without considering the science will not help air quality, industry or drivers.” King also pointed out that diesel vehicle owners pay 3 pounds more when filling up their tanks.

The target is to phase out all diesel vehicles by 2030. However, King said present projections indicate UK could not hit fully the target 15 years from now.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, or SMMT, said industry recognises issues around air quality. However, he pointed out that tailpipe emissions account for only 27 percent of air pollution, while electricity generation contributes 30 percent.

Hawes added, “Today’s diesel engines are the cleanest ever, and the culmination of billions of pounds of investments by manufacturers to improve air quality,” quotes BBC. BMW, Ford and Jaguar Land Rover joined the SMMT in saying that fears over diesel are misplaced.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au