§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what incentives the Government have put in place to encourage(a) vehicle manufacturers and road haulage companies to cut emissions on existing diesel technology and (b) the wider use of alternative based vehicles. [90322]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Government have introduced a number of incentives to encourage the wider use of cleaner vehicles and fuels, and has published the "Powering Future Vehicles Strategy", which provides a framework for future fiscal and other incentives.
All new vehicles have to meet minimum European emission standards that are set to become progressively tougher over time. This will ensure that all vehicles—including heavy diesel vehicles—become less polluting over time. In addition, my Department sponsors the CleanUp programme that provides grants towards the cost of fitting trucks—and other vehicles—with 395W pollution reducing technologies such as particulate traps. In many cases, trucks fitting such devices can also benefit from lower Vehicle Excise Duty.
More generally, the Government are encouraging the wider use of cleaner fuels and vehicles through:
favourable fuel duty rates for cleaner fuels, including LPG, natural gas and biofuels;company car tax and vehicle excise duty regimes based on CO2 emissions, with discounts for alternatively fuelled vehicles; andgrants through Transport Energy programmes towards the additional cost of purchasing cleaner vehicles such as electric, hybrid and gas vehicles.