Lib Dems plan to scrap diesel

Just 15 years after the government at the time encouraged people to buy 'fuel-efficient' diesel vehicles, the tide has turned again against the evil black stuff. 


War has been waged, and by none moreso than the Liberal Democrat Party. In their 2017 General Election Manifesto they state:

--
Air pollution in the UK is a killer. It contributes to 40,000 premature deaths a year and costs the NHS £15 billion. This year, London exceeded its annual air pollution target in just five days. The government has failed time and again to comply with EU limits on pollution.

That’s why the Liberal Democrats will pass a Green Transport Act, introduce an Air Quality Plan to reduce air pollution and protect UK citizens and support the manufacture of low-emission and electric vehicles, generating jobs and exports. This plan will include:

• A diesel scrappage scheme, and a ban on the sale of diesel cars and small vans in the UK by 2025.
• Extending Ultra-Low Emission Zones to ten more towns and cities.
• All private hire vehicles and diesel buses licensed to operate in urban areas to run on ultra-low emission or zero emission fuels within five years.

We will also reform vehicle taxation to encourage sales of electric and low-emission vehicles and develop electric vehicle infrastructure including universal charging points.
--



In response Alex Buttle, director, car buying website Motorway.co.uk, comments: “When it comes to his plans for diesel cars, we have to ask has Tim Farron been smoking some of the substance he’s looking to legalise?

 

“A total ban on diesel cars is likely to be highly unpopular for the car-owning electorate - 39% of which own diesel vehicles. And the value of diesel vehicles would tumble immediately if this policy was put into place.

 

“Everyone now knows diesel cars are high-polluting - although car owners were encouraged to buy them for their fuel efficiency a decade ago. 

 

"A rapid phase-out of new diesel cars makes sense, but that shouldn't extend to used diesel vehicles, to protect the personal finances of UK drivers."

Share this: