UK’s 2040 petrol and diesel car ban is “kicking” clean air goals down the road

Vivergo Fuels has responded to the UK government’s recently announced intention to ban petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 as part of its Clean Air Plan.

The UK based biofuels producer stresses that E10 fuel, containing 10% bioethanol, is a solution to air quality and climate change that is available now. The statement calls on the government to take advantage of the opportunities offered by biofuels today to meet its climate and air quality goals rather than “kicking them down the road” until 2040.

Vivergo’s managing director, Mark Chesworth, said: "We welcome a definitive plan from the Government to tackle air quality and carbon emissions. However, the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 will have no impact for more than 23 years.  The plan also invites many questions regarding whether we will have the infrastructure, energy supply and technology to support this level of electric vehicles within that timeframe, despite the offer of £250m to support councils as part of the Government’s planned £3bn spending package.

“If the Government is now taking concerns around air quality and climate change more seriously, then we strongly believe they should start tackling the issues today with E10, a readily available greener fuel containing 10 percent bioethanol.

“E10 offers an immediate solution to improving air quality and tackling climate change. However, even though many countries around the world have introduced it successfully and indeed have gone well beyond to introduce E85 at the fuel pumps, the UK government has failed to take similar action on emissions over the last five years. 

“Bio-ethanol is a non-fossil renewable fuel which, when blended with petrol, has lower Nox and particulates than diesel, and is non-carcinogenic.  Our industry has already invested over £1bn in the UK to produce it. It requires no new infrastructure, is compatible with almost all petrol cars today and provides a practical, simple, low cost step towards immediate action on the terrible air quality faced in our cities today. E10 also provides a greener option for the petrol needed for hybrid vehicles that many consumers are opting for today as consumer confidence in pure electric vehicles remains low.

“Yet again, we are missing a golden opportunity to take action today to deliver on our climate and air quality goals, and of course to support farming and those jobs in the UK already employed in this industry.  Rather than kicking this issue down the road to 2040 or beyond, the Government must act now.”

To find out more about the biofuels market come and visit the tenth Biofuels International Conference & Expo.  Register now for Biofuels International 2017 for two days of essential learning to network with experts, sharpen your biofuels knowledge and improve your skills, on 4-5 October.