Lead Campaigner, Quentin Willson said: “We’re hearing rumours in Westminster that the Treasury could be considering higher Vehicle Excise Duty rates, a purchase tax on used diesel vehicles, a 1p rise in duty and even an increase in VAT on diesel. This could cause used diesel car and van values to collapse and add millions in extra costs to families and businesses across the country.”
 


Instead
 FairFuelUK is asking the Government to better manage the current diesel debate and suggests the following: 

• An older diesel scrappage scheme to incentivise drivers of the most polluting cars and vans to switch to petrol, hybrid or electric.
• An MoT test for diesels that includes testing for fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
• The creation of an independent data bank of the emissions content of all diesel cars and vans, new and old, which can be easily accessed by consumers.
• An enquiry into the reasons why modern Diesel Particulate Filters have a high failure and blockage rate.   
• Much better research into the health risks and toxicity of diesel emissions.

Howard Cox, co-founder of FairFuelUK, added: ‘This week we will be writing to all MPs and asking where they are positioned on the future of diesel taxation. We welcome the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin's timely comment that protecting UK consumer interests in the wake of the VW debacle is very important, but there’s a great danger that diesel hysteria could get out of control. There’s far too much misinformation in the press and this government needs to reassure businesses and drivers that they won’t face financial hardship for choosing diesel cars and vans.

“Clean air in our town and cities is an urgent priority but we can’t fix this overnight with draconian taxation levels. Reducing diesel emissions is something that must happen but needs reasoned and informed debate.”