Drivers say no to more diesel costs

THREE QUARTERS of drivers in the UK say there should be no more additional costs for those driving a diesel car.

Under proposals for Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ), diesel car drivers would be charged more to drive in towns and cities across the UK.

With the possibility of ULEZs becoming widespread by 2020, 75.4% of drivers in the UK say they object to this plan and are not prepared to pay more to use their car.

At present, London’s ULEZ is planning to charge diesel car drivers an additional £10 per day to drive inside the low emissions zone. This cost is over and above the existing Congestion Charge cost.

The ULEZs will come about as the European Union is set to impose fines on towns and cities with poor air quality and breaching air pollution targets.

Motorpoint’s Mark Carpenter, who commissioned the poll, said: ‘The results clearly show the vast majority of motorists object to yet another tax being levied on them every time they get behind the wheel of their car.

‘Everyone agrees that more needs to be done to reduce air pollution levels but hitting diesel car owners, many of whom have bought those vehicles for their economical and environmental benefits, is not the answer. More thought needs to go into solutions that don’t involve slapping extra charges on easy targets like motorists.’

By Press Association reporters