Save the planet with higher tax on cars

The UK Government has been urged to raise the tax on motorists to help to save the planet. The body that advises the Government on climate change has recommended that a national road-pricing scheme will cut down on carbon dioxide emissions, and that the speed limit on all national motorways should be cut down to 60mph. The UK Government legally has to abide by certain carbon reduction targets and the introduction of the new tax along with the new speed limit should be enough to dramatically reduce the poisonous emissions.

The committee has also announced that plans to reduce emissions since 2003 have seen little progress and that steep changes will need to be implemented if they are to reach their current targets. They went on to claim that every year the Government needs to see a decrease of 2-3 per cent in order to meet its objectives by 2050. The plans to up road tax will not be welcomed by motorists as was proven recently when ministers proposed plans to introduce a per-mile charge offset by reductions in the duty paid in fuel — but when 1.8 million drivers created a petition that was sent directly to Downing Street; the Government quickly quashed these plans.

The introduction of electric cars is a huge step towards saving the planet but more money will have to be used in grants if the Government really wants to make a difference with battery operated motors. Originally the Government had put aside £250 million towards the widespread use of electric cars but the climate change committee has estimated that a budget of £800 million would be more effective.