Could a new focus on clear air zones from the government see diesel car owners compensated?

A Conservative Transport Minister has hinted that motorists who own diesel vehicles may be compensated in future government schemes to cut back on polluting cars.

This follows news stories on Sadiq Khan’s proposed scrappage scheme for diesel vehicles, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) opening by 2020, and new car tax rates increasing on emission-heavy vehicles.

John Hayes, a Minister within the Department for Transport promised that the government would “not penalise those who are worse off”, but that they would continue to tackle air pollution with “a new vigour and determination”.

He has confirmed that outside of London’s ULEZ, other clear air zones are being designed and will “support the transition to a low emission economy”. He said:”It’s absolutely right that the Government’s clean air zone policy recognises all of the challenges that have been set out by various contributors to this debate and tackles the most polluted places knowing low-cost transport is vital to people’s opportunities and to their wellbeing.”

Mr Hayes went on: “This Government is determined to put the wellbeing and welfare and health of our people at the heart of all it does.”

Of course, one easy way of cutting your carbon emissions is to share your journeys. Liftsharers who use the service through workplace or regional schemes save a whopping 35,000 tonnes of CO2 every year – that’s the equivalent of taking 7,393 cars off the road for a year! List your spare seats or find a lift now!

Do you drive a diesel vehicle? What do you think of such proposed ‘clean air areas’? Let us know in the comments below!