Green motoring measures considered

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A Government-commissioned review is expected to suggest a carrot and stick approach to make people switch to more environmentally-friendly vehicles when it reports back in February.

Recommendations are expected to include higher purchase tax and road tax for high-emission vehicles which could add £1,000 to a motorist's costs, the Times reported.

Julia King, vice-chancellor of Aston University, who is leading the review, told the newspaper: "We need both carrots and sticks.

"In choosing cars, price is the absolute top of the list. Levels of increases of £1,000 to £1,500 seem to have a big effect on consumer behaviour."

Professor King said she was particularly keen to look for ways to influence the purchase of company cars which account for more than half of new car sales.

The report is also expected to suggest grants for people who opt for cars powered by alternative fuels or fitted with devices to reduce fuel consumption.

There are also likely to be recommendations for incentives for manufacturers to hasten the introduction of electric cars or hybrids which have a petrol engine and an electric motor.

Professor King believes there should be a gradual shift towards cars powered by rechargeable electric batteries which can be charged overnight.

She said she was sceptical of biofuels made from crops as a "green" alternative to existing fuels, saying their cultivation was accelerating the destruction of the rainforest and pushing up food prices.