Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Roddy Graham's Blog: 4 October 2007
BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Roddy Graham's Blog: 4 October 2007

Date: 04 October 2007

Roddy Graham

So Malcolm Fendick, Department for Transport clean fuels advisor is technology and fuel neutral, whatever that means? If you've got a job title like that, surely you should be pushing for the use of alternative fuels...

More than one option

So Malcolm Fendick, Department for Transport clean fuels advisor is technology and fuel neutral, whatever that means? If you've got a job title like that, surely you should be pushing for the use of alternative fuels?

No doubt our friends at Saab down in Marlow must be sick as parrots to learn there is no intention of incentivising the use of bio-fuels. On the one hand, you've got vehicle manufacturers bending over backward to come up with new 'greener' initiatives and on the other you've got good old government going, "so what?"

One thing I can't stand is people sitting on the fence - get one side or the other and show some fighting spirit. Fence-sitters never get anything done!

Reading between the lines, I believe government is focussing on CO2 emissions full stop. OK, if that's the case, then say so. Word on the street is that high emitting vehicles, those puffing out over 254g/km will be hit with a whopping £2000 tax hike for being the heaviest polluters. I don't have a problem with that. If somebody wants to drive around in a 3.0-litre, 12-cylinder, gas-guzzling sports car or four-wheel-drive, then they should pay for the pleasure.

Two weeks ago, I referred to the stance of the vehicle manufacturers at the Frankfurt motor show. They were prepared to do their bit but they expected government to do likewise. The pressure is on them to produce cars emitting on average less than 120g/km by 2012, a target they baulked at without offering alternatives. Well if proposed congestion charging is based on CO2 targets, then that will be another nail in the coffin for motorists, who will undoubtedly opt in the end for greener vehicles.

But let's face it, there is never going to be just one solution to the problem. So, where vehicle manufacturers come up with viable alternatives that can be supported nationwide, then surely we do have a right to expect government to incentivise the users. This brings me back to fence-sitters. I don't think I could ever be accused of being one. In the afore-mentioned debate, I back Saab's bio-fuel campaign and other alternative-fuel initiatives. No, Mr Fendick, you don't get my vote!



Share


Subscribe