Liberal Democrats pledge to ban sale of diesel cars by 2025
New plans were announced in the Liberal Democrat’s manifesto
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to ban the sale of diesel cars and small vans and extend low emission zones to 10 more towns and cities.
Launching their manifesto today (Wednesday) ahead of the General Election next month, party leader Tim Farron said he wanted to launch a Green Transport Act and an Air Quality Plan to “reduce air pollution and protect UK citizens.”
In the manifesto, Mr Farron says: “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 days. The government has failed time and again to comply with EU limits on pollution.”
He added that Green Transport Plan, which includes a diesel scrappage scheme, would support the manufacture of low-emission and electric vehicles, generating jobs and exports.
The plan includes:
- A diesel scrappage scheme and the ban on the sale of diesel cars and small vans in the UK by 2025
- Extending ultra-low-emission zones to 10 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
The party also plans to reform vehicle taxation to encourage sales of electric and low-emission vehicles and to develop electric vehicle infrastructure including universal charging points.
Alex Buttle, director, car buying website Motorway.co.uk said: “A total ban on diesel cars is likely to be highly unpopular for the car-owning electorate – 39per cent of which own diesel vehicles. And the value of diesel vehicles would tumble immediately if this policy was put into place.”
He added: “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.”
Other key policies in the Liberal Democrat Manifesto include:
- a second EU referendum on Brexit deal
- 1p in the pound on income tax to raise £6bn for NHS and social care services
- end the 1% public sector pay cap
- invest nearly £7bn extra in education
- ban the sale of diesel cars and small vans in the UK by 2025
