Skip to main content

For better air quality ‘cities need to turn to gas powered trucks and buses’

The UK’s cities are under unprecedented pressure to improve air quality, as Supreme Court justices in London order that air quality plans to comply with European Union (EU) law on limits for nitrogen dioxide (NOx) in the air must be submitted to the European Commission no later than 31 December 2015. The case was brought by ClientEarth, a group of lawyers dedicated to environmental issues, which says the ruling means the Government must start work on a comprehensive plan to meet pollution limits as soon
May 1, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The UK’s cities are under unprecedented pressure to improve air quality, as Supreme Court justices in London order that air quality plans to comply with 1816 European Union (EU) law on limits for nitrogen dioxide (NOx) in the air must be submitted to the 1690 European Commission no later than 31 December 2015.

The case was brought by ClientEarth, a group of lawyers dedicated to environmental issues, which says the ruling means the Government must start work on a comprehensive plan to meet pollution limits as soon as possible. Among the measures that that it must consider are low emission zones, congestion charging and other economic incentives.

ClientEarth is calling for action to clean up the worst polluting diesel vehicles, including through a national network of low emission zones.

Gas expert John Baldwin, managing director of CNG Services, says in response: “Thousands of people are dying of poor air quality ever year. As we speak in 16 cities are breaching legal limits for NOx, much of which comes from diesel engines; trucks and buses.

“Rather than look to increasing congestion charges or controlling where vehicles can go, why aren’t we using gas powered vehicles? A recent report from Energy & Utility Skills has shown that gas will give us significant greenhouse gas reductions as well as getting rid of hazardous NOx and particulate matter, which can kill.”

“We’ve got the technology here now. The big plus about gas engines is not only do they produce fewer NOx emissions and virtually eliminate emissions of particulates; they are also 50 per cent quieter than normal diesel engines. This means gas trucks are ideal for making night-time deliveries. ”

“Gas isn’t the future, it’s here now – we’ve got the vehicles and we can deliver fuel through our extensive gas grid – all we need is the political will to make it happen and save lives.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Air quality monitor
    July 24, 2012
    The AQM 60 from Quixote Transportation Technologies (QTT) is an air quality monitoring system designed to measure a wide range of air quality parameters in a cost-effective, compact package. The system measures the top six pollutants considered harmful by the US Environmental Protection Agency and integrates with road weather information systems, advisory radio systems and ITS software platforms to provide weather, traffic and air quality data on one system. As QTT points out, monitoring air quality data ne
  • Latest annual rail freight figures show the future for rail freight, say campaigners
    June 9, 2017
    The latest annual Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rail freight statistics show consistent expansion in the key consumer and construction rail freight markets with record levels of traffic, according to the Campaign for Better Transport, demonstrating the potential and demand for rail freight services. This year has been a period of transition for the industry as it adjusts to the deep decline in coal traffic.
  • Polarised imaging gives enforcement clarity
    February 6, 2020
    Polarised imaging advances have finally allowed ITS technology to catch up with previously unenforceable international bans on smoking in cars, says Sony’s Stephane Clauss
  • EU to implement fairer rules for road charging
    May 29, 2018
    EU countries will need to switch to distance-based road use charges for trucks and buses in 2023 and for cars in 2026. The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has voted on new amendments in a bid to meet emission reduction targets and make charges fairer. Distance-based charging is intended to ensure vehicles are charged according to actual road use and pollution generated. The rule will also apply to goods vans over 2.4 tonnes from 2022. EU countries would need to set different road charging ra