The Times reports today that the Liberal Democrats have plans for a tenfold increase in road tax for the biggest gas-guzzlers. Some car owners would have to pay up to £2000 per year just to tax their cars depending on engine size.
The party says that the increase in road tax would provide a 'real incentive' for consumers to switch to more environmentally friendly cars, as 'zero carbon' vehicles would pay no road tax at all.
Lib Dem leaders claim the Labour Government's target to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 will not be enough to address global warming and have radical plans to ensure the UK is carbon neutral by the same date.
They want all new cars to be zero carbon from 2040, resulting in a zero carbon road transport system by 2050. The report does not explain how it will affect buses and trucks, often worse polluters than the average supercar, but does include restrictions on Britain's runway capacity and a new 'pollution tax' on passenger and freight flights to restrict air travel.
Is it the end for cars like these?
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Increased congestion means more carbon
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