Muddled thinking from the powers that be, or a sensible way forward?
Robin Roberts reports…
It follows failure to meet European clean air legislation and a High Court decision that requires an environmental strategy to be put forward.
The plan was discussed before the general election but publication was delayed because of fears it would affect voting by people in particular areas of marginal seats.
Critics of the proposed ban say it will not help to cut current pollution levels in the short term where there are ‘hot-spots’ and that local councils will be expected to draw up schemes using central government finance, but which will distance Government from decisions which motorists see as attacking them.
There are also concerns it could adversely affect road safety if speed reduction road humps put in to slow traffic are removed to clean up air in urban areas.
The industry is already moving towards hybrid and pure electric vehicles and Toyota has announced its working on a new generation of high efficiency batteries with quicker recharging and longer range, so the planned ban may be out of date within ten years.
The Government’s plan does not yet include incentives for motorists to scrap diesel models, does not include rail or maritime transport and there is no mention of pollution controls on jet engines. The UK’s thriving historic vehicles industry could also be affected unless exemptions are introduced for classic vehicles.
It could also impact on investment plans for UK engine plants such as Ford Bridgend and Dagenham, Toyota Deeside, Nissan Sunderland, JLR Wolverhampton and BMW Hams Hall. Any investment in these is likely to be for production of combustion engines used as generators for hybrid powertrains in future models. There has been no statement from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Kim comments:
“Of course, well thought-out attempts to clean up the environment and to save natural the world’s resources are essential, and to be applauded, but why is it that so often we see plans – and, indeed, legislation that will have far-reaching effects on everyone – put forward without any apparent forward thinking with regard to how these measures will affect the ‘bigger picture’? In addition… Why has no regard been paid to proven technical solutions that could be applied NOW to existing and future petrol and diesel vehicles to make an immediate effect on improving air quality? Frankly, we deserve better in terms of a proper, well thouht-out way forward, and as usual it will be the motorists who pay for the often dodgy policies implemented.”