NEW cars which do less than 35 miles to the gallon should be banned to help tackle climate change, according to a former chairman of the oil giant Shell.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart urged the move as an alternative to higher fuel taxes, which he said would be unfair on rural drivers and poorer people who needed their cars.
The proposal was attacked by the motor industry as "bizarre". It estimated that mo
re than one in three models would fail the proposed fuel efficiency threshold. They include some versions of popular cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen C4 and Peugeot 307, though diesel engined cars have lower fuel consumption than the equivalent petrol models.
It is also thought that the 35mpg limit would be tougher than the 130g/km carbon dioxide emissions limit for cars proposed by the European Commission from 2012.
Sir Mark, chairman of the United Nations' Foundation for the Global Compact, which raises money to improve sustainability, said: "We need very tough regulation saying that you can't drive or build something less than a certain standard. You would be allowed to drive an Aston Martin – but only if it did 50-60mpg."
He said making people with less fuel-efficient cars pay more in road and fuel tax would simply let the rich avoid taking responsibility for tackling climate change.
Sir Mark, who left Shell in 2001 and is now also chairman of mining group Anglo American, said of his plan: "You can buy the roomiest, vroomiest car, as long as it meets the efficiency standard. We have driven a hybrid since 2001 and it is a beautiful piece of engineering."
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which represents the UK industry, said Sir Mark's call was not helpful.
A spokeswoman said: "This is a really bizarre proposal. If we are trying to reduce emissions, it should not be confused by using other measurements. Our priority is to reduce , which will have the knock-on effect of improving engine efficiencies."
The Department for Transport agreed that was a better target. A spokeswoman said the government's strategy to make transport greener included negotiating to set compulsory long-term targets to cut emissions from new cars.
She said: " emissions and miles per gallon are both related, but emissions are a more direct indicator of environmental performance, used across Europe and wider. Therefore, that is what we work with."
Neil Greig, the director of policy for the Institute of Advanced Motorists' Motoring Trust in Scotland, also attacked an mpg-based ban.
He said: "Real progress in reducing emissions requires a combination of incentives for new technology, improved alternatives to the car and behavioural change such as more awareness of eco-driving techniques.
"Incentives and education will deliver better fuel consumption far more quickly than any headline grabbing blanket bans."
The European Commission proposed a maximum of 120g/km emissions for new cars from 2012, compared to the current 160g/km average.
However, it increased the limit to 130g/km following industry lobbying.
The remaining 10g/km saving is to come from technological improvements, such as bio-fuels and better tyres.
London unveils £200 fine for polluting lorries LONDON has signalled the way for possible further clampdowns on urban motoring in Britain by being the first city to fine heavy lorries that cause pollution.
The city's new low-emission zone, which came into force yesterday, will see hauliers being charged £200 if they fail to meet emission standards.
The zone covers most of Greater London and is aimed at cutting harmful pollution, which has made the city one of the most polluted capitals in western Europe. Central London has already pioneered a congestion charge – now £8 a day – for most drivers.
Similar plans for Edinburgh were emphatically rejected in a local referendum, but other English cities may take part in road-charging pilot schemes.
Transport for London said that 2,500 of the 23,000 heavy lorries driving into the city each day did not meet the required standard.
It said the scheme would be extended to other vehicles in July, including other lorries, buses, coaches and caravans weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. Vans and minibuses would follow in 2012.
Environmentalists and health campaigners support the scheme, but some business leaders are furious.
The zone involves 75 new camera sites and ten mobile units. It has cost £49 million to establish and will cost up to £9 million a year to run. It is forecast that fines of £2 million a year will be levied.
The full article contains 765 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
