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Is the Government serious about gas?
Page 24
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FI inally the Government has done something to encourage the greater use of natural gas in commercial vehicles. Chancellor Kenneth Ciarke's Budget certainly gave a much-needed boost to operators of gas vehicles but it didn't go far enough. If the Department of Transport is serious about encouraging the use of such vehicles that have greatly reduced emissions, it should lobby the Chancellor to slash the duty on such fuels. Such a move would send a positive message to operators to invest in gas technology. The Government is happy to go along with the Rio environmental conference's call to increase duty on diesel, as it increases its tax revenues. As we all know, a 5% rise in the price of fuel has no impact on consumption—the Government should be looking at other ways of regulating behaviour. If it is serious about trying to improve air quality, it should be looking at boosting the use of gas vehicles. A further reduction in the duty gas attracts would send a clear signal to hauliers to look at gas next time they buy a vehicle.
C Reeves,
London.
FJ See page 58 for a head-to-head comparison of identical ERF EC? 2s running on diesel and gas—Ed.