London’s mayor has been accused of moving at a “snail’s pace” in cleaning up the city’s dirty diesel buses despite health warnings over pollution.
Sadiq Khan’s critics say he will fall far short of his target to eradicate tailpipe emissions from all buses within 18 years. Less than 2 per cent of London’s buses are zero-emission vehicles. Only a fraction of black cabs, which can release emissions up to 30 times higher than conventional cars of the same age, are electric models.
Last week London introduced what was billed as the toughest emissions crackdown in the world, with all but the newest diesel cars being charged £12.50 to enter the city centre. Mr Khan has also pushed other policies, including making homes more energy efficient.
