Green groups say ban diesel cars to save our air

Clean air will be a reality in the UK only if diesel cars are phased out altogether. That’s according to research by thinktank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Greenpeace. They […]

Clean air will be a reality in the UK only if diesel cars are phased out altogether.

That’s according to research by thinktank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Greenpeace. They say a  ban diesel cars in London will help the country meet its air pollution targets

They also called on new PM Theresa May to help clean up the car industry.

Even if London were to return to the lowest recorded level of diesel car ownership in the UK, it would still not reach compliance with World Health Organisation guidelines and UK law by 2025, they added.

Backing the report the new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “In our city nearly 10,000 Londoners die every year from exposure to pollution – which is simply unacceptable.  Rather than turn a blind eye to this growing health crisis it is high time ministers faced up to their responsibilities.

“This important report is published whilst I’m conducting a major public consultation on my plans to crack down on the most polluting vehicles and to bring in hard-hitting new measures to improve our cities air.

The report stated to really get to grips with invisible pollutants, the government would need to progressively reform Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) to disincentivise ownership of diesel vehicles and put in a scrappage scheme  for older diesel cars across the nation.

 

 

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