Greenpeace demands more diesel tax

Greenpeace says diesel vehicles are demonstrably more damaging to health than petrol ones. File picture: Thomas Samson / AFP.

Greenpeace says diesel vehicles are demonstrably more damaging to health than petrol ones. File picture: Thomas Samson / AFP.

Published Nov 16, 2015

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Berlin - In response to higher measurements of pollutants in many German cities, Greenpeace is demanding higher taxes on diesel.

The financial privileges that diesel cars enjoy compared to those using petrol are no longer sustainable, energy expert Andree Boehling told dpa in comments on a survey carried out by the Emnid Institute on behalf of the environmental campaigners.

“Diesel vehicles are demonstrably more damaging to health and the environment as comparable petrol ones. The diesel tax privilege must ultimately end,” Boehling said.

The German car industry association VDA rejected the demand, saying that at least for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, modern diesel cars are significantly better than petrol cars.

In older engines, the burning of diesel produces higher emissions of nitrogen oxide than comparable spark ignition engines, which means they should lose their preferential tax status, Greenpeace said.

“Diesel is the dirtiest vehicle fuel,” Boehling said.

Greenpeace suggested that the increased tax revenue, estimated to be worth 7 billion euros (R108bn) per year, be used for public transport.

The TNS Emnid survey carried out for Greenpeace revealed that 62 percent of people asked agreed that the diesel subsidy should end, while 31 percent said it should continue.

A majority, 55 percent, said petrol was more environmentally friendly than diesel, with 25 percent saying then opposite.

The pollsters surveyed 1004 people between the ages of 14 and 70 on October 21 and 22.

AFP

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