Monday, 08 May 2017

Diesel scrappage scheme on the cards

BBC reports that the government's draft clean air plan has been dismissed as 'toothless' and 'weak' by critics.

Under the proposals to tackle dirty air, some drivers of older cars could be paid to move to electric vehicles.

The draft plan also considers retrofitting buses, lorries and black cabs as a way of delivering cleaner air.

Clean air zones could be set up in dozens of cities and towns according to the document.

Motor manufacturers have welcomed the plans but environmental campaigners say the proposals are 'half-baked.'

The consultation has been published after a long legal wrangle with green groups.

According to the Royal College of Physicians, air pollution across the UK is linked to around 40,000 premature deaths every year.

The UK has struggled to keep within EU limits on some pollutants, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is produced by diesel engines and is linked to a range of respiratory diseases, including asthma. Some 37 of the 43 regions of the UK are in breach of NO2 limits.

Exasperated by what they believed was government foot-dragging on the question of cleaner air, environmental lawyers ClientEarth mounted a legal challenge to force faster action.

After several judicial decisions in favour of the legal firm, the government has now finally published its draft response.

The series of documents on a clean air strategy released on Friday cover a wide variety of options.

The most radical measure being considered is what's termed a 'targeted' car scrappage scheme.

'Under this scheme, 15,000 Euro 1-5 diesel cars/Euro 1-3 petrol cars are replaced with electric cars. The grant level that has been assumed for this option is £8,000,' the documentation states.

The suggestion is that a scheme could be brought in within two years.

The move has been applauded by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

'SMMT welcomes the publication of the government's proposals for improving air quality across the UK, which clearly states that the new Euro 6 diesels which have been on sale for the past two years will not face any penalty charges anywhere in the UK," said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

'We're encouraged that plans to improve traffic flow and congestion, as well as increase uptake of electric and hybrid vehicles, will be prioritised in towns and cities. We look forward to working with government to encourage the uptake of the latest, low emission vehicles, regardless of fuel type.'

Political opponents were not impressed with the consultation.

The draft proposals will be out for consultation for six weeks while the final plan will be published by the end of July.