‘We are on the cusp of something historic’: Council plans to phase out diesel cars with new charge

Councillors have announced the phasing out of all diesel cars in a borough with a new charge.

The announcement from Lambeth councillors at a Clean Air Carnival on Thursday aimed to encourage other London boroughs to follow suit, with councillors from Southwark in attendance at the event at Elmgreen School in Elmcourt Road, Norwood.

The councillors announced a new diesel surcharge that will be applied to diesel cars registered before September 1, 2015, which is in addition to residents’ permit charges.

The annual charge is expected to be £140.

The campaign group that organised the carnival, Mums for Lungs, is also calling for councils to no longer issue new resident permits for diesel cars, with an exemption for blue badge holders. 

This would not affect residents that already have a diesel car, whose permits would continue to be honoured, but would aim to discourage any more diesel cars being brought to London. 

Jemima Hartshorn, a parent who lives in Southwark and organises the Mums for Lungs group, said:  “We are on the cusp of something historic with the end of diesel fumes.

“But we won’t get there without local leadership from councillors and candidates. Let’s make polluting cars a distant memory.”  

Recent analysis in London shows that  diesel cars now cause three times as much air pollution as trucks and lorries. 

The research, published by the Clean Cities Campaign, shows that the share of harmful emissions from diesel and petrol cars has risen in every London borough since 2021. 

Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, deputy leader of Lambeth council and leader of Clean Air, said: “Our air is toxic, and people die prematurely from London’s dirty air. 

“The people most at risk are our most vulnerable citizens, our children and people with underlying health issues. 

“It’s really important that we clean up our air, so we have recently taken the decision to charge vehicles based on their emissions – those polluting more having to pay more, and diesel cars facing an additional charge. 

“In Lambeth we’re keen to make it easier for people to walk or cycle instead. We’re committed to making it safe to cycle and also safe to store a bike across our streets and estates.”

Pictured top: From left, Councillor Claire Holland, leader of Lambeth council, with Cllr Dannny Adilypour, Cllr Jim Dickson, Jemima Hartshorn from Mums for Lungs, her daughter Lea and Oliver Lord from the Clean Cities Campaign (Picture: Mums for Lungs)