Scrappage scheme for diesel cars 'is being considered' as Government considers throwing cash at cleaner air
- Critic warns the proposed scheme could leave the Government with a 'huge bill'
- Proposals are being drawn up in response to recent emission scandals
Government officials are drawing up plans to introduce a scrappage scheme for diesel cars in a bid to improve air quality across the UK.
Diesel car owners could be offered cash to replace their particulate-spraying vehicle for a low-emission alternative, the Daily Telegraph reports.
But, Steve Gooding, director of motoring research at the RAC Foundation, claims any scheme runs the risk of triggering a 'huge bill' for the Government and could end up having little long-term impact.
Proposed scheme: Government officials are drawing up a plan to introduce a scrappage scheme for diesel cars
A Government spokeswoman did not confirm that a scrappage scheme is being considered, but said air quality plans are being developed and there will be an update later this year.
The spokeswoman said: 'We are firmly committed to improving the UK's air quality and cutting harmful emissions.'
The RAC's Mr Gooding said: 'The risk is that a scheme could quickly run up a huge bill for the Exchequer, have only marginal impact in problem areas, and falter in encouraging the take-up of electric cars because the charging infrastructure isn't really in place to support their widespread use.'
Meanwhile, AA president Edmund King said: 'As it was Government that encouraged the dash for diesel with fiscal incentives, it would be poetic justice for the Government to now provide incentives for dismantling older diesels.
'We believe that such a scheme for cars over 10 years old could prove popular with drivers.'
Cash incentives: Diesel car owners could be offered cash to replace their gas guzzling vehicle for a low-emission alternative
The proposals are being drawn up by the Department for Transport and Defra in response to emission scandals and health risks linked to emissions from diesel cars.
Concern over the impact of diesel cars on nitrogen dioxide levels were raised by the Volkswagen emissions scandal in September 2015.
Globally, around 11 million Volkswagen diesel cars were fitted with software known to release fewer smog-causing pollutants during emissions tests than in real-road conditions.
Analysis by Defra found that nitrogen dioxide is estimated to be responsible for 23,500 deaths in the UK every year.
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