The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has announced the publication of a new five-point plan that the body believes would help to address the serious issue of transport-related air pollution in the UK.

Announced in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that now calls on the government to produce new air quality plans and submit them to the European Commission by the end of the year for assessment, the BVRLA is confident its measures can play a positive role in addressing this serious issue.

A particular challenge is faced in delivering improvements in the level of NOx and CO2 emissions recorded across the UK transport network at present, but the BVRLA believes it may have a number of solutions.

Proposals put forward by the organisation include an adaptation of the current tax regime to incentivise the uptake of vehicles in line with the newest Euro 6 standard on NO2 output, as well as helping regional communities to create a new national framework of ultra low-emission zones.

Additional recommendations include the reintroduction of 100 per cent first-year allowances for companies renting or leasing ultra-low emission cars, increased support to car clubs, car sharing schemes and other alternatives to car ownership, and the delivery of further incentives to encourage greater uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles among the general public.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney commented: "Over the past ten years our industry has used the government's emissions-based motoring tax regime to stimulate a huge reduction in CO2 emissions.

"We believe the measures we have set out could have a significant and positive impact in helping the government meet its air quality goals."