The UK will ban the sale of all petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 onwards, including hybrid models, as part of a move to tackle air pollution.
The sales ban follows an earlier air quality draft report published by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in May this year. The Environment Secretary Michael Gove will publish the full air quality plan later today following months of consultation and legal battles.
In addition to the sales ban, the Government is proposing introducing more ‘clean air zones’ across the UK - charging drivers of high polluting vehicles has yet to be ruled out. A targeted diesel scrappage scheme is also potentially on the cards. Councils with local pollution hotspots will be required to layout their plans by March 2018 and finalise them by the end of the year.
• Best electric cars on sale 2017
Petrol and diesel ban: battle against poor air quality
The Government estimates that poor air quality poses the largest risk to public health in the UK, costing the economy £2.7 billion in lost productivity. To combat the health epidemic, the Government wants to accelerate the uptake of green vehicles across the country.
Local authorities will be able to dip into a £3 billion fund on improving air quality. The air quality package is said to include £290 million towards a national productivity investment fund which will go towards low emissions taxis.
In addition, councils will also be handed a green bus fund to convert existing public transport, and £1.2billion towards cycling and walking schemes, as well as £100 million to tackle roadside pollution.
• Hydrogen cars: everything you need to know
Road infrastructure will also be changing, with £255 million towards changing road layouts such as speed bumps, speed limits and roundabouts, in addition to reprogramming traffic lights.
The UK isn't alone in announcing a ban on the sale of diesel and petrol vehicles from 2040. France's newly elected president, Emmanuel Macron, announced a similar ban earlier this month in order to ensure the country is able to meet emissions targets agreed under the Paris climate accord.
What do you think of the petrol and diesel car sales ban? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below...
from Featured Articles http://ift.tt/2tBMA0E
No comments:
Post a Comment