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Chancellors Should Tax 4x4s

Nov 26 2004

Friends of the Earth today backed calls from the New Economics Foundation for more action to discourage people from driving gas-guzzling vehicles, with a call to the Chancellor to include measures in the pre-budget speech next week.

Britain has one of the worst records in Europe for minimising damage to the environment from cars. It is 11th worst out of 15 EU nations for new car carbon emissions, and 11th worst in the EU in the purchase of 4x4s - one of the most environmentally destructive vehicles. Last year, the carbon emissions from the average new car sold in the UK increased.

Friends of the Earth is calling for the Chancellor to reform the tax disc and make VED much cheaper for green and smaller cars, and increasing it for gas guzzlers like 4x4s.

Government research shows this would persuade people to buy greener cars - with major benefits for the environment, and people's pockets [1].

Friends of the Earth Campaigner Simon Bullock said:

"The Government talks a good game on climate change - but the reality is that emissions have got worse since 1997. It's high time Gordon Brown put climate change at the heart of his budget."

Friends of the Earth is also calling for other measures to reduce the massive environmental impact of motoring, including:

• A bio-fuels obligation to promote green fuels
• The road fuel duty increase announced in May used to pay for safe routes to schools
• Tax relief for employers bringing in Green Travel Plans

Notes

[1] Assessing the Impact of Graduated Vehicle Excise Duty - Quantitative Research' and was published in March 2004

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