DEFRA on diesels and inner city ultra clean air zones

[jjdugen]

Not exactly bike related, other than the ultra clean air zones, looks like the thinking is to ban ALL IC engines from inner city areas.



Defra plans could see diesel cars banned from towns and cities

Diesel drivers could face restrictions on driving in a number of city centres under new government plans to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions in the UK.

Announced by Defra, the plans have been published for consultation and are intended to help bring the UK into compliance with limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in a number of areas by 2020 and in London by 2025.

In a release, Defra said that plans are targeted especially at major cities such as London, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Southampton and Derby. It added that in addition to the draft UK overview document, it has produced a zone plan for each of the UK’s 38 zones – out of a total of 43 – that were found to be exceeding the maximum annual limit for NO2 in 2013.

The plans ask local authorities who are facing particular challenges to look at further action such as creating Clean Air Zones, introducing low emission buses and taxis, and using data to inform new road layouts.

Defra added that options local authorities can consider include:

Networks of electric car charging points
Introducing low emission buses and taxis or converting fleets
Upgrading cycling infrastructure
Introducing or expanding park and ride schemes

Defra also highlighted London’s introduction from 2020 of the UK’s first ultra-low emission zone and added that: “Clean Air Zones, in particular, can be a local focal point for action to enhance public transport and accelerate electrification of buses, taxis, vans and cars, to increase both local uptake and support national ambition.”

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “Tackling air pollution is a priority for this government, and we want local authorities and members of the public to come forward and share ideas on action to be taken at local level to make our nation cleaner. From improving bus and taxi fleets to investing in cycling infrastructure and upgrading roads so they run more smoothly, we want to work with our great cities and help them make changes to become greater still.”

In response RAC Business spokesman Simon Peevers said: “Banning cars from towns and city centres, is potentially damaging for businesses and for individuals especially without any clear guidance on long-term solutions.

“Whilst we know there are air quality problems in a number of our cities, there is no consistent approach to a solution.

“Solutions need to target three key elements. Firstly, we must look at the vehicles that generate the most pollution which, of course, varies by vehicle type and age as well as how much it is used.

“Secondly, there must be a focus on the areas with the worst air quality problems. Cars are not necessarily the problem as buses and taxis also make significant contributions to poor air quality.

“Thirdly, we need to recognise that motorists have been encouraged by the taxation system to purchase small fuel-efficient diesel vehicles which have a low carbon footprint. It is therefore unreasonable to punish owners because the reductions in harmful emissions expected to be delivered by the Euro 4, 5 and 6 standards for vehicle emissions have not proven to be as great in real world driving as they are in test cycles.

“At the moment we can see proposals, like the London Ultra Low Emissions Zone, that follow a measured common-sense approach and others that demonise diesel vehicles without regard to the extent to which the vehicles concerned are contributing to the problem.”

The Defra consultation will run for 8 weeks from 12 September to 12.00 midnight on 6 November 2015.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

They'll eventually ban all IC engines from town centres as you say. Then wonder why the high street is dying.
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[CaNsA]

I'm pretty sure I heard mumbling about this last year.

I don't know how daily mail this source is but.

https://www.cityam.com/1418052309/banning-diesel-vehicles-london-would-save-thousands-lives

[MCN]

Fossil Fuel Baaaad.
Horse Shit Gooood.

I'm considering Ion-drive for my next bike.

Government's Knee-Jerk Green-Stuff Policy.

Problem: We need to stop things.

Plan: Consult with folk who are un-informed about things and ignore advice from Informed folk.

Solution: Things are stopped.

Results : No Effective Alternative.

Longterm Effect : Phaf around with token gestures until mankind re-harnesses fire and re-invents wheel.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Rogerborg]

Bikes are fairly poor on NO₂ emissions.

You can bet the pedalistas will be organising a "BAN EVERYTHING" write-in, so get in there:

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/airquality/draft-aq-plans/consultation/intro/view
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[Pete.]

There are new regulations come in this month about using diesel-engined plant on site in London too. Roughly it boils down to any engine over 50hp and 10 yrs old is now banned from use on any significant Central London development. It's actually based on type-approval but the above covers most of the affected plant.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[grr666]

Wasn't that long ago that the Government were pushing us all to buy diesel cars.
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[MCN]

[Kickstart]

[stevo as b4]

It's worse though in France isn't it?

They started liking diesel family car's quite a bit by the late 80's, when they were still not that nice to drive, and when the TDI/Common rail break through was some way off.
I still don't think they are mad about downsized petrol engines over there, as isn't Diesel still cheaper?

Roger, I don't think you need to worry or lobby too much regarding bikes/ bike sales and city centre bans. With the current licensing legislation and other safety legislation, they will be persuaded off the road long before exhaust emissions becomes the No.1 evil factor about them.

I wonder how this city centre low emissions zoning, and looking at the vehicles that pollute the most will pan out though? Will ANPR be used to find out what's coming into town and regulate by vehicle age and type?

I drive de-catted car's, and two stroke motorbikes, but then I hate cities, so does my car and so I might not care?

I'd love an Electric van for work too!

[MCN]

[Kickstart]

[Wonko The Sane]

Diesel did seem to be encouraged when VED was linked to carbon emissions causing smaller diesel engines to be low or even £0 and was part of the reason I bought one coupled with the millage it does in a year.


I was bored the other day while waiting for something to be done with my bike and found myself in the Nissan dealership asking about the Leaf (fully electric) and was told they wouldn't sell me one as I don't have my own parking space and it's illegal to trail a cable across the pavement.

How true that is I don't know, I'm lucky if I get to park outside my house in the first place.

"don't worry, towns and cities will have charging points installed"

There are two electric car charging points in the main town centre (not the ye olde market town I live in) just north of Manchester, I avoid going into town as much as possible.

So when and where would I charge an overgrown battery with wheels?

"many employers are fitting them"

Bollocks, my employer won't as it would be a taxable benefit and we don't own the site, besides I ride the bike there,
The wife works for the NHS who also rent the site so they won't be fitting them, besides she's in and out of her office multiple times a day so the thing wouldn't get a proper charge.

Unless it can fully charge in 20 mins it's useless to us.

/rant
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[MCN]

The Answer is Here
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Rogerborg]

[DrSnoosnoo]

Top gear sorted it YEARS ago.

Diesel generator to charge on board batteries.

https://adillholesthoughts.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/70547330_18f66059df.jpg

Not saying this is the best idea in the world but it was good enough for Tesla (the cars not the man)
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[Rogerborg]

[MCN]

[RhynoCZ]

[MCN]

[Polarbear]

So what about my canal boat that at present is parked in London on the Regents canal and is powered by a 40 year old BMC 1.5 diesel engine. Are they going to ban me and every other boat on the system with historical engines?
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[MCN]

[Polarbear]

[RhynoCZ]

[Skudd]