Four in five diesel drivers say raising tax won’t make them drive less
Research found that Philip Hammond's plan to raise diesel levy would do very little to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions
ONLY one in five diesel drivers say a fuel duty hike would make them drive their cars or vans less.
Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to raise the hated pumps levy for diesel vehicles while continuing the six year-long freeze for petrol users in the Budget.
But the survey of more than 2,000 motorists by the RAC revealed the move would do little to reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide emissions
Four in five also say the planned hike would also be unfair because previous governments actively encouraged drivers to buy diesel vehicles.
Instead, motorists want to see more incentives to tempt people into newer, cleaner vehicles – which 46% backing a scrappage scheme.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Putting up duty on diesel is not going to stop the country’s 12m diesel motorists driving any less and ease the air quality problem.
“Neither should the Chancellor end the fuel duty freeze of the last six years and risk damaging the economy, something the Treasury’s own analysis has found may occur if duty rises.”
At the moment, 57.95p of every litre of diesel or petrol at the pumps goes to the Treasury in fuel duty.
