Energy Minister's call for higher rates of tax for urban 4x4s doesn't go far enough
27 February 2006
The Greens welcome Energy Minister, Malcolm Wick's call for higher ratesof tax for urban 4x4s. These vehicles are some of the worst "gas guzzlers," on the road and contribute to the UK's growing carbon emissions as well as posing a serious safety risk to other road users.
Sian Berry, Green Party Campaigns Co-ordinator, comments: "Urban 4x4s have plagued our cities for too long and bring serious social and environmental costs. While many other cars are polluting, the unique problem with 4x4s is that this is combined with serious safety issues. Their extra height and weight is needed for off-roading but is totally unecessary in town. Their higher bumpers and mismatched crumple zones lead to extra dangers to pedestrians, cyclists, people in smaller cars, and even the occupants of the big 4x4s themselves.
"In terms of pollution, because 4x4s are heavier and need bigger engines to achieve the same performance as a lighter car, all models of 4x4 give out more pollution per mile than the equivalent ordinary car. The biggest models emit more carbon dioxide than two estate cars."
"The current difference between the lowest and highest rates of vehicle excise duty is just £115. While the Government is considering a new top rate of vehicle excise duty for cars that produce more than 250g of CO2 per kilometre, the proposed rate is just £200 - only £35 higher than the current top band. This clearly doesn't go far enough as 4x4s are chosen as prestige vehicles and consumers are likely to cope with this small tax difference. The Department for Transport's own market research shows that the difference between each band should be at least £150 to influence people's choice of car."
The Green Party believes a radical shake up of the tax system is needed to combat the pollution of our cities. This would include not only higher taxes for the most polluting cars, but also increased fuel tax to discourage car use and provide investment for more sustainable, environmentally friendly forms oftransport including cycle lanes and comfortable, reliable buses and trains. We need government to take a lead on transport issues and half-hearted measures will achieve little in the long-term.
