Green trucks are in line for tax cut
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by Miles Brignall • The Government is asking the haulage industry's advice on how to give vehicle excise duty (VED) concessions to operators who invest in greener trucks.
Kenneth Clarke said in the Budget that the Government wants to give a £500 reduction in VED to hauliers using vehicles that conform to ultra-low emissions standards. Now the Department of Transport has published a consultation document suggesting how the plan could be implemented.
Hauliers will be encouraged to fit particulate traps, currently costing up to £4,000, to enable them to reduce particulates by around 80%. The consultation exercise is asking the industry how best to set the lower limits.
The DOT also wants to hear how the vehicles should be tested in a way that will not add a burden in time or cost to the operator.
The scheme is expected to start in early 1998. Natural Gas vehicles will qualify for the reduced VED rate; electric vehicles won't.
The DOT wants hauliers' views on: • What new emissions limits should qualify for the reduced VED rate?
• When and how should vehicles be checked to see if they conform to the tougher emissions standards?
• Should multi-fuelled vehicles qualify for the reduced rate?
• How should vehicles paying less than £500 'VED be treated by the scheme ?
Requests for copies of the consultation document and all comments should be sent to Stephen Clarke, Licensing and Roadworthiness Policy Division, Department of Transport, Room 2/09, Great Minster House, 76, Marsham Street, London SW1 4DR.