Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

BVRLA produces five-point air quality improvement plan

711_BVRLAlogo

Share

1 May 2015

BVRLA logoTHE British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has produced a five-point strategy that would help the next government tackle the problem of road transport-based air pollution.

It has issued the advice in response to the UK’s Supreme Court ruling, which this week ordered the UK government to produce new air quality plans and submit them to the European Commission by 31 December 2015. Failing to do so, the UK runs the risk of fines being issued by Brussels (see UK sooty air will cause a stink for SMEs!).

The UK faces a particular challenge with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels, which are often associated with diesel vehicles. The BVRLA believes that the following five measures could make a swift and significant impact on NO2 levels across the UK:

  • Help regional authorities to use their newly devolved transport powers by providing a national framework for ultra-low emission zones
  • Adopt the current tax regime to cover NO2 emissions (incentivising the adoption of new EURO 6 standard for diesel engine emissions, for example), ensuring that any changes are well-signposted and non-retrospective
  • Re-introduce 100% first-year allowances for companies renting or leasing ultra-low emission cars
  • Provide better in-life incentives – for example freedom from tolls, congestion charges or parking fees – to encourage greater uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles
  • Do more to support car clubs, car sharing and other alternatives to car ownership, and provide more low-emission public transport

Over the past ten years our industry has used the government’s emissions-based motoring tax regime to stimulate a huge reduction in CO2 emissions, said BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney.

Our members advise millions of businesses and consumers on which vehicles to choose and how they should be operated. We believe the measures we have set out could have a significant and positive impact in helping the government meet its air quality goals.”

 

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

Latest news

Top