Petition · past parliament
Hold a public inquiry into the decision to incentivise diesel cars & its effects
Closed
185 signatures
What the petition asks
In 2001 the government decided to link car tax (VED) to CO2 emissions. In 2002 company car tax also became emissions-based. People were encouraged by such incentives to buy diesel cars. Health-damaging air pollution has worsened dramatically and diesel car owners now face punitive charges.
Two very serious effects of this decision fully justify a public inquiry, to ensure such grave policy mistakes aren't repeated and to consider public compensation:
1. Air pollution now causes 40,000 early deaths in the UK and costs the country £27.5bn a year, according to the government's own estimates. MPs have called this a "public health emergency".
2. People encouraged to buy diesel cars now face punitive costs and barriers to their use. This reversal is grievous public maladministration.
1. Air pollution now causes 40,000 early deaths in the UK and costs the country £27.5bn a year, according to the government's own estimates. MPs have called this a "public health emergency".
2. People encouraged to buy diesel cars now face punitive costs and barriers to their use. This reversal is grievous public maladministration.
Timeline
| 5 Mar 2018 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 5 Sep 2018 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
185
Status
Closed
Opened
5 Mar 2018
Closed
5 Sep 2018
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.