Theresa May pledges support for diesel car owners in emissions crackdown

Diesel: The PM suggested she would support people who followed previous advice about switching from
Jeremy Selwyn
Chloe Chaplain5 April 2017

Theresa May has suggested that owners of old diesel cars will not be punished in a Government crackdown on emissions.

Drivers were encouraged to switch away from petrol under Tony Blair's government, and the current Prime Minister said that would be taken "into account" as the Government drafts plans for reducing emissions.

Her comments come as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan set out plans to clean up air in London with the world’s first ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez).

His proposals would see drivers of polluting cars forced to pay up to £12.50 - on top of the congestion charge - each day to drive in central London.

Concentrations of annual average NO2 in 2013 (Source: LAEI 2013)

The Government has to publish updated clean air plans by April 24 after it was ruled existing plans to meet EU-mandated air quality limits, which are being broken across many areas of the country, were not sufficient.

Mrs May said: "In relation to the issue of diesel cars, obviously we will be producing a new air quality plan, we've been required to do that by the courts.

Theresa May: The PM suggested she would support drivers of old diesel cars EU

"Decisions will be taken when we produce that plan - obviously we will take final decisions as to what we do. But I'm very conscious of the fact that past governments have encouraged people to buy diesel cars and we need to take that into account when we're looking at what we do in the future."

In June last year then-transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said it had been a mistake for former Labour chancellor Gordon Brown to slash taxes on diesel.

Mr Brown reduced duty on low-sulphur fuel in 2001, which contributed to an increase in annual diesel car registrations from 3.45 million to 8.2 million.

A Government report published in April 2016 showed that diesel cars being sold in the UK emit an average of six times more nitrogen oxide in real-world driving than the legal limit used in official tests.

Diesel: The Prime Minister said she will take into account advice from previous governments to switch from petrol
PA

All but the newest diesel cars will face the proposed new charge to drive in central London under Mr Khan’s plans – which will be extended to cover the area between the North and South circulars in 2021.

Diesel cars that are more than four years old in 2019 and petrol cars that are more than 13 years old will face the charge 24 hours a day, year-round, in a bid to cut air pollution.

With the congestion charge during weekday hours, the total fee for the most polluting cars to drive through the heart of London could be up to £24.

Buses, coaches and HGVs that do not meet the emissions standards will have to pay £100. The Ulez will apply to all types of vehicle except black taxis.

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