Cars must be removed from cities, rather than replaced by electric vehicles, according to the UK government’s leading adviser on air pollution. Ministers were forced to produce an air pollution plan after being sued twice in the courts over illegal levels, but it was criticised as “woefully inadequate” and “lacking urgency” by city leaders and “inexcusable” by leading doctors. Professor Frank Kelly commented that while electric vehicles do not produce exhaust fumes, they are still responsible for tiny pollution particles produced by brake and tyre dust for which there are no safe levels. Recent research from the European Commission discovered that nearly 50% of all particulate matter comes from these sources. The government has also announced a new target of reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions in London by 80% over 10 years, compared with 1990 levels – an ambitious goal but one that will require major changes to transport infrastructure.
Cars must be removed from cities, rather than replaced by electric vehicles, according to the UK government’s leading adviser on air pollution. Professor Frank Kelly commented that while electric vehicles do not produce exhaust fumes, they are still responsible for tiny pollution particles produced by brake and tyre dust for which there are no safe levels. Recent research from the European Commission discovered that nearly 50% of all particulate matter comes from these sources. The government has also announced a new target of reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions in London by 80% over 10 years, compared with 1990 levels – an ambitious goal but one that will require major changes to transport infrastructure.