Is it time for diesel car owners to panic?
As Government announces strict anti-pollution measures
NEWS that diesel cars could be banned from busy roads during rush-hour in a crackdown on the most polluting vehicles has left many motorists reeling.
A clean air strategy published by the Government yesterday gives councils eight months to draw up plans for cutting harmful gases on their most polluted streets.
The move will let town halls introduce road charging or ban heavily polluting vehicles on the worst-hit roads at busy times of the day. Road tax could also be hiked for new diesel vehicles in measures to be announced in the Budget this autumn.
And new traditional petrol and diesel cars will be banned from sale altogether by 2040 as hybrid and full-electric become the norm.
But campaigners accused Ministers of “passing the buck” to town halls in the present by announcing policies looking decades into the future.
Oliver Hayes of Friends of the Earth said: “This is a cynical move to grab the headlines by announcing changes for 23 years’ time and failing to enact measures which will curb pollution now. “
The chair of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee, Labour MP Mary Creagh, added: “Air pollution causes 40,000 early deaths every year but today’s plan shows the Government kicking the can down the road once more.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said air pollution is a “local” problem and it is right to expect town halls to find a local solution.
He said: “Today’s plan sets out how we will work with authorities to tackle the effects of roadside pollution caused by dirty diesels, in particular nitrogen dioxide.”
But what will it all mean? Here is our lowdown…
What is happening?
The Government has published a strategy to tackle air pollution – and Ministers have the owners of heavily polluting diesel vehicles in their sights.
Why?
Given the 40,000 deaths thought to be linked to air pollution per year, the High Court told Ministers to take action as current efforts do not meet the legal requirement to keep people safe.
But why are diesel vehicles being targeted?
Older diesel vehicles are seen as among the worst generators of harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2). But older petrol vehicles that do not meet basic emission standards will also be hit.
So what is the plan?
After months of Whitehall prevarication, Mr Gove has effectively passed the buck, asking local councils to come up with solutions for their worst-hit roads.
Each town hall has until next April to devise a plan to cut pollution on any streets which exceed the legal NO2 limit.
What will that mean in practice?
Different things in different areas. Councils are being told to come up with “imaginative” ways to cut air pollution. In some areas road layouts could be changed to avoid congestion pinch points.
Speed bumps could be torn up and traffic lights rewired. Drivers will be encouraged to switch to low-emission vehicles or use public transport. And buses will be upgraded or replaced with lower-emission models.
Is that really going to solve the problem?
No. In the worst-affected areas councils may introduce road charging or outright bans for the most polluting vehicles. Ministers are desperate to stress this will be a last resort. But it means owners of older diesel and petrol cars could find they cars are banned from or charged for using local main roads during busy periods.
Where is this likely?
London is leading the charge. Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a new £10-a-day “toxicity charge” covering Central London from this October. He says the “vast majority” of vehicles built before 2006 will be hit by the charge.
So-called Clean Air Zones are also planned for Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton. Ministers say 100 major roads in towns and cities across Britain are likely to be still missing key pollution targets by 2021 and will need radical action.
Who will pay for it?
Ministers set aside £255million to help councils prepare their plans and deliver targeted action. A further Clean Air Fund will be set up for councils to bid for extra cash. And a £100million pot has been set aside to make buses more environmentally friendly.
Is that enough money?
Probably not. Road tax could be hiked for diesel owners in the autumn Budget to raise more cash.
Help! I own a diesel car. What am I supposed to do?
Good question. Ministers are promising help for those on lower incomes or people forced to ditch their vehicles. Some owners may be offered help to retrofit their vehicle with green technology.
Government-subsidised car clubs and discount bus passes may be offered in some areas. Details remain scarce but a further consultation is promised this autumn.
Can we even trust green emissions technology after the VW scandal?
Ministers are also announcing a crackdown on car manufacturers caught fiddling emissions tests.
Car-makers found trying to trick pollution monitors, as VW did, face criminal and civil charges, with fines of up to £50,000 for every vehicle fitted with software.
Had those rules been in place before the scandal of 2015, the firm could in theory have faced fines of up to £60billion.
What about a scrappage scheme?
Ministers have been mulling a scrappage scheme, offering financial help for people needing to trade in their old diesel for a newer, cleaner model. But the latest plan fudges the issue once again.
It says a scrappage scheme will be “considered” as part of the consultation but makes clear the Government has its doubts.
And what’s this about banning petrol and diesel cars altogether?
Ministers said from 2040, sale of traditional petrol and diesel cars will be banned to accelerate the shift to hybrid or fully electric cars.
Why are Ministers making promises for 23 years into the future?
Partly because they probably won’t be in power to have to deliver them. Mr Gove will be 72. Theresa May will be 83. But the idea is also to provide “certainty” for industry about Britain’s long-term plan to improve the environment.
Are we really ready for electric vehicles?
No. Less than 2% cars sold in Britain are electric. And it will mean a huge new strain on the National Grid. Experts say the extra electricity needed will be the equivalent of almost 10 times the total power output of the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station being built in Somerset.
But eco-campaigners predict technological advancement means all cars will be partly or fully electric by 2050, law changes aside.