City of London to stop buying diesel vehicles in boost for pollution battle

over 300 vehicles, is to cease purchasing or leasing diesel models when they need replacing.

“This is a major step forward in our drive to protect the millions of London tourists, workers and residents from air pollution,” said Chris Bell, the corporation’s head of procurement.

“We are taking responsibility for the cleanliness of our fleet and encouraging the use of low and zero-emission vehicles with our partners.” The City Of London Corporation is also encouraging businesses to cut back on vehicle deliveries to the Square Mile and other districts, and to use hybrid models.

Its activities stretch beyond the City’s borders, sponsoring ac ademies in Hackney, Islington and Southwark, managing housing estates and green spaces such as Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, and operating Heathrow’s Animal Reception Centre.

The policy was immediately backed by environmental and health campaigners. Simon Birkett, founder of Clean Air in London, called it a “major strategic act of leadership”, adding: “Getting rid of diesel vehicles from the most polluted places is the only way we can comply with World Health Organisation guidelines for air quality.”

Steven Wibberley, of the British Lung Foundation, praised the Corporation for an “encouraging step forward”.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, said its members were investing heavily in low-emission technology: “Buses, cars, commercial vehicles have never been cleaner, from advanced petrols and diesels, to hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles.”

Confidence in the motoring industry has been hit by the Volkswagen emissions scandal and revelations that many vehicles are emitting far more pollution on the road than recorded in lab tests.

A report by the Institute For Public Policy Research think tank argues that all diesel cars may have to be banned from London over the next decade to meet legal air quality obligations.

Camden council has already moved to stop buying diesel vehicles. Mayor Sadiq Khan — who suffers from asthma — has proposed a “T-charge” of £10 a day to be imposed on the worst polluting diesel and petrol vehicles driving into central London from next year.

City Hall is also considering introducing the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone one year earlier in 2019, and from 2020 extending it to the North and South Circulars for motorcycles, cars and vans; and London-wide for lorries, buses and coaches.