MP lobbying for UK petrol ban reversal is director of fuel products company

Howard Cox heads up FairFuelUK, campaigning for alternative policies to outlawing new petrol and diesel car engines, but an investigation has revealed close ties to the ‘fuel solution sector’. 

Recently published work by environmental research group DeSmog shows one of Britain’s most outspoken critics of proposals to ban new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK by 2030 is also the director of Ultimum. The company has vested interests in the development of fuel additive products. 

Howard Cox heads up the FairFuelUK campaign group, and is involved in the all-party parliamentary group (APPG), which – among other things – has made recommendations for policymakers to urgently review the potential of fuel additives to reduce emissions, with claims some pollutants could be cut by up to 50%.

The group’s report highlighted a number of reasons why the car and van petrol ban should be abandoned, but no reference was made to author ties to businesses that will benefit from any u-turn. 

The APPG chair, Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay, is also the head of the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, which scientists claim is focused on reversing green policies by arguing these have an unfair impact on cost of living. Despite this evidence, Cox has denied any conflict of interest to The Guardian newspaper, which also noted the same APPG report quotes former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, who is Ultimatum’s other director.

Some in the industry argue fuel additives can significantly reduce emissions without forcing people to ditch traditional gasoline vehicles, a process expected to be costly. However, these products are as-yet-unproven, meaning there is no guarantee they will have the desired impact. 

In related news, a recent survey by FairFuelUK on the public’s attitude towards the petrol and diesel ban, published by The Sun newspaper, was found to contain biased and misleading questions.

Image credit: Jay Skyler