Ahead of the local elections, the Liberal Democrats have set out their vision to clean up Britain’s air by calling for a £1 billion fund for taxi drivers to switch to electric vehicles, as part of their proposals for Clean Air Zones across Britain.
The Liberal Democrats propose ten new Clean Air Zones across the country by the end of 2022. The Clean Air Zones would combat deadly air pollution which causes 40,000 early deaths each year, with transport being the biggest emitter of harmful gases.
The Conservatives pledged in their 2019 manifesto to set “strict new laws on air quality”, but this has yet to happen. Outside of London only one other council has established a Clean Air Zone, Liberal Democrat controlled Bath.
Under Liberal Democrat plans, taxi drivers working in areas with Clean Air Zones would be able to buy electric vehicles at substantially discounted rates as well as benefit from free interest loans.
Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport, called on the Government to accelerate their plans for Clean Air Zones and electric taxis: “The Conservatives need to put their foot to the floor if they are to get a grip on deadly low levels of air quality which haunt our communities. Plans for clean air zones have stalled across the country but there is no time to wait if we are to reach our net zero goal and clean up the air we breathe.
“There should be no trade off between our environment and our small businesses. The Liberal Democrats’ plan would see lives saved and cabbies enjoying the perks of modern and cheaper to run electric vehicles.
“Next week voters have a big decision to make – stick with Conservative Councils with track records of blocking clean air zones and new cycle paths, or elect local champions for their environment.”