London introduces vehicle pollution levy in new blow to diesel
>> Reuters
Published: 23 Oct 2017 05:15 PM BdST Updated: 23 Oct 2017 05:18 PM BdST
-
An exhaust emits fumes as a car is driven through Richmond in London, Britain, Dec 2, 2016. Reuters
London brought in a new levy on the oldest and most polluting cars entering the city centre from Monday, almost doubling how much motorists have to pay in the latest blow to diesel.
Drivers are already charged 11.50 pounds ($15) to enter the financial district and parts of west London under a congestion charge but those driving petrol and diesel vehicles typically registered before 2006 will need to pay an additional 10 pounds.
Since the 2015 Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal, a number of major cities including Madrid, Paris and Athens have announced plans particularly focused on cutting diesel emissions including bans, fines and restrictions.
The new charge could further encourage motorists to switch to greener models in one of Europe's biggest cities as Mayor Sadiq Khan hopes the new levy to reduce toxicity, known as the T-Charge, will help save thousands of lives each year.
"The air is bad, but it's also a killer," he told Reuters.
"There are children in London whose lungs are underdeveloped. There are adults who suffer a whole host of conditions caused by the poor quality air from asthma to dementia to suffering strokes."
Although the tax also applies to older petrol cars, diesel has been particularly maligned over the last few years, with sales down 14 percent this year in Europe's second-biggest car market as petrol demand continues to rise.
"There's a budget coming up and the government's got to step up and announce the diesel scrappage scheme to help families and businesses," said Khan, a politician from Britain's main opposition Labour Party.
Britain's Conservative government said this year that sales of new diesel and petrol cars would be banned from 2040 but has stopped short of an immediate programme to incentivise drivers to trade in their old models.
Whether 40,000 Uber drivers, one in three of all private hire vehicles working in the British capital, continue to operate will also have a major impact on London's streets in the years ahead.
The city's transport regulator shocked the Silicon Valley taxi app last month by stripping it of its licence, but the company can continue to operate until an appeals process is exhausted, which could take several years.
Following discussions between Uber's global Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi and Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner Mike Brown this month, Khan said further talks could take place.
"If it's possible for the global CEO to continue discussions with the TfL commissioner of course that's a sensible course of action," he told Reuters.
"Whenever you can avoid litigation, you should avoid litigation but I appreciate Uber are appealing the TfL decision. We'll have to wait and see how that pans out."
-
Kerry urges oil industry to speed up transition to fight climate change
-
Can US build more mines it needs to go electric?
-
Investors push companies to come clean on climate
-
In Christchurch, hush where 8,000 home once stood
-
Hopes rise for reopening of climate finance tap
-
A glimpse of the future in Texas
-
Texas deep freeze leaves 21 dead
-
BUET named for National Environment Award
-
Kerry urges oil industry to speed up transition to fight climate change
-
Mining magnets: Arctic island finds green power can be a curse
-
To go electric, America needs more mines. Can it build them?
-
Show us the plan: Investors push companies to come clean on climate
-
10 years after Christchurch quake, a hush where 8,000 homes once stood
-
Texas freeze led to release of tons of air pollutants as refineries shut
Most Read
- HT Imam, political adviser to prime minister, dies aged 82
- Beximco plans to sell Tk 30bn worth of sukuk
- PM’s political adviser HT Imam hospitalised in Dhaka
- Wigmaker sues bdnews24.com for reporting worker unrest
- Dhaka city corporations redraw battle plan as mosquito sting thrives
- Former secretary Moinuddin Abdullah named new ACC chairman
- How to register for coronavirus vaccine in Bangladesh
- Penalised for plagiarism, DU teacher Samia says she has been framed
- Brazil’s COVID crisis is a warning to the whole world, scientists say
- India FM Jaishankar arrives in Dhaka to finalise itinerary of Modi’s visit