Chancellors missed opportunity on Euro5
22nd March 2006
Commenting on today's UK Budget Announcements, John Fuller, BlueCat Project Director expressed disappointment at the Chancellor's missed opportunity by failing to incentivise early adoption of EuroV technology by extending the Reduced Pollution Certificate VED rebate scheme.
"In choosing to target 4x4 cars, the chancellor has missed an opportunity to incentivise fuel economy for the most thirsty vehicles on the road by failing to encourage early adoption of Euro5 technology".
There is some hope that the Air Quality Consultation announced in the budget papers may give scope to encourage Euro5 vehicles but today's disappointment will delay air-quality benefits by at least a year."
ends
The Budget Background Papers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/business/2006/budget_2006/documents/default.stm
"7.78 As announced in the 2005 Pre-Budget Report, the Euro IV standard for HGVs and buses will become mandatory from October 2006, and from that date newly-registered HGVs and buses will no longer be eligible for a reduced pollution certificate (RPC). However, vehicles which obtain an RPC before that date will retain the benefit for the life of the vehicle, as long as they continue to meet the normal testing requirements. The scheme will also remain open to those who fit pre-October 2006 registered vehicles with the qualifying technology. The Government will continue to consider the scope for an incentive for early
take-up of Euro V standards for HGVs and buses. In addition, the Government is currently reviewing the UK Air Quality Strategy and will publish a consultation shortly."
