The plan has been published 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. 

The BVRLA said believes that the following five measures could make a swift and significant impact on NO2 levels across the UK: 

1. Help regional authorities to use their newly devolved transport powers by providing a national framework for ultra-low emission zones
2. 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
3. Re-introduce 100% first-year allowances for companies renting or leasing ultra-low emission cars
4. Provide better in-life incentives – for example freedom from tolls, congestion charges or parking fees – to encourage greater uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles
5. 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.”