RAC reacts to Environmental Audit Committee response to Defra air quality consultation

RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “There are a number of positive points in the Committee’s response. The RAC supports the call for a strong, consistent national framework which would give motorists and businesses more certainty over what plans local authorities may have operating within their town centres. At the same time, the proposals as they stand do not require local authorities to adopt measures that are consistent with Defra’s clean air zone framework. It is essential that incentives are put in place to ensure any local measures taken are consistent with this framework.

“Encouraging motorists to swap to cleaner vehicles through a scrappage scheme may certainly help in reducing poor local air quality, but there must also be bolder plans to replace heavily-polluting bus and taxi fleets. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone is a good example of a plan which aims to reduce emissions from the most polluting vehicles, including buses and taxis.

“Any changes to VED must take into account that diesel vehicles have helped reduce CO2 emissions significantly. It is important to realise that many motorists were effectively encouraged to switch to diesel due to the incentive of lower tax rates as the system is based on CO2 emissions levels.”