The biggest polluters, diesel cars and vans – which make up 71% of NOx emissions – compared with 6% for coaches and buses, should be targeted by York City Council, says Greener Journeys CEO Claire Haigh.
The comments come on the eve of a council meeting to consider plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) by 2020.
“Why penalise bus passengers and not target the highest polluting vehicles? Government must show leadership and provide clear guidance to local authorities on which vehicles should be targeted as a priority in Clean Air Zones, reflecting actual NOx contributions,” she adds.
Under the proposals, buses entering the CAZ 10 times or more a day will have to meet Euro 6. Between 5-9 times a day would be required to meet the Euro 4 by 2020, and then Euro 6 by January 2022. Less than five times a day would need to be Euro 3 in 2020, moving up to Euro 6 by 2028.
Adds Ms Haigh: “We welcome the proposals and it’s vital that local and central Government work with the bus sector to deliver new Euro 6 buses and support the upgrading of older vehicles to Euro 6.
“Real-world testing of modern, diesel buses – and those retrofitted to this standard – demonstrate that they are 95% cleaner than previous models and emit fewer emissions overall, than the average diesel Euro 6 car despite having 15 to 20 times the capacity.
