Environment Committee responds to London Mayor’s clean air summit

In response to the Mayor’s Clean Air Summit and proposals to bring forward the Government’s ban on new petrol and diesel sales from 2040 to 2030, Caroline Russell AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee said:

“We are all breathing in filthy air. Action is needed sooner rather than later.

“The London Assembly supports calls for a strong, modern Clean Air Act, a vehicle scrappage scheme and funding for local action. For journeys not made on foot or by bike, the future of motor transport is zero-emission, and we look forward to the phasing out of petrol and diesel vehicles nationwide.

“At the London level, there should also be moves towards zero emissions in the next few years. The Mayor has suggested a zero emissions standard in 2025, perhaps in the central zone. We want to see further details of this proposal, to give the right signal to drivers, operators and the vehicle industry.

“With more and more findings about the high emissions from even new diesels in urban driving, the potential to remove Euro 6 diesels from Ultra Low Emission Zone exemption should also be considered urgently.”