I remember promises being made about keeping the duty on diesel lower
than
petrol because it is better for the environment

This simply isn't true though. Diesel cars produce more of virtually every
pollutant than petrol cars.

Also, for each litre of diesel burned, about 12% more CO2 is released than
for each litre of petrol.

Before cats started being fitted to most petrol cars, they produced more
polutants than diesels. Diesels got a bad name because their polutants,
while being less harmful, are more visible. Both carbon dioxide and the more
harmful carbon monoxide are invisible.

So the claim that diesels produce less CO2 works only if it is at least
12%
more economical than a petrol vehicle.

Which they are.

Really, the tax on diesels should be higher to represent its higher carbon
potential (not to mention other crap).

and more important to the
economy.

But a low general tax burden is good for the economy.

Within reason, yes. That is why I am against the high taxes on motoring. In
New Zealand the health service and schools are funded by the government and
they have less oil than us yet petrol costs 30p per litre and the car tax is
£60 per year. In the UAE, an oil economy, you can fill your tank up for £5.
It is not necessary for our economy to have such high motoring taxes.

I get angry when I hear about plans to charge for motorway use or an extra
tax to pay for the disposal of abandonned cars. The motorist is already
paying for so many other things as well as the roads.


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