Diesel owners could face new tax


Diesel car owners in the UK could be hit with a new tax in a bid to reduce air pollution, Britain’s Transport Minister, Patrick McLoughlin has suggested.

Mr McLoughlin says Labour’s decision to promote diesel cars was a mistake, and has resulted in a dramatic rise in pollution levels in cities such as London.

Mr McLoughlin has hinted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer might need to take a look at Vehicle tax rates. New vehicle tax rates were introduced in 2001 which incentivised the uptake of diesel cars due to their lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Diesel cars emit less CO2 per km than their petrol counterparts, but they also emit toxic nitrogen dioxide (NOx) and particulate matter.