A scheme aiming to reduce pollution from high-emission luxury cars, by limiting their circulation to weekends and public holidays, has come under fire from environmentalists who expressed doubts on the intentions behind it.

While Edward Mallia argued that trying to curb emissions in such a manner was little more than “wishful thinking”, former Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Michael Briguglio was even more scathing, branding the scheme as “a joke”.

The scheme was announced last week by Transport Malta, with the stated aim of helping reduce emissions during week days. The scheme only applies to new registrations – owners of vehicles already in circulation are not eligible. 

Prof. Mallia said the scheme was not supported by any evidence to corroborate the claim that these vehicles contributed to a significant fraction of traffic pollution. The end result may be to encourage more “jay-riding” in “high level, high powered, high emission cars” during weekends, compromising road safety.

Dr Briguglio said this was a complete farce when considering that in a recent parliamentary question it transpired that in the last 22 months just 38 vehicles had failed emission tests. If the authorities wanted to crack down on traffic emissions, there had to be stricter enforcement by traffic wardens and tighter controls during vehicle roadworthiness tests, Dr Briguglio said.  

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