UK fails to enhance air quality via vehicle rulings

The UK is one of ten countries cited by the European Commission as not attempting to boost air quality by introducing legislation to promote green vehicles.

According to an official release from the body, Britain is in danger of facing hefty fines if it cannot prove that steps have been taken to endorse environmentally-friendly transport within the next two months.

The original deadline for providing evidence to the Commission was December 4th 2010, but the UK still has not made the necessary reforms.

Failure to implement the Directive could restrict member states' ability to purchase green public transport vehicles in the future.

"This could slow down improvements in the energy and environmental performance of the road vehicle fleet within the EU," the European Commission statement read.

Despite the warning, Transport for London chiefs revealed recently that a prototype of a new bus was being put through its paces and it is hoped the model could have a lasting positive impact on the capital's air quality.

Posted by Joseph Hutton