London Mayor Calls for Diesel Scrappage Fund

London's mayor has called for the government to adopt a diesel scrappage fund to tackle air pollution there. Sadiq Khan's plans include £3,500 each for up to 70,000 polluting van and minibus drivers to buy cleaner vehicles in the voluntary scheme, BBC News reported. He also wants a £2,000 credit scheme to help low-income families scrap up to 130,000 cars and £1,000 to help scrap the oldest taxis. The government said it would be updating its air quality plans soon. The total cost of the scheme would be £515 million. It is estimated to achieve a 40% reduction in London road transport nitrogen oxide emissions. Tackling air pollution is one of Khan's top priorities since he became mayor last May. "The toxic state of our air leaves us with no choice but to rid our city of the most polluting diesel vehicles," he said. "It is shocking that nearly half of new car sales in the UK are still diesel vehicles and the national system of vehicle excise duty still incentivizes motorists to buy these polluting cars." The city was put on "high alert" for pollution last month under a new monitoring system.