Sussex Euro-MP Chris Huhne has attacked plans to reduce the number of abandoned cars.
The Government is suggesting the last owner of every vehicle must pay new scrapping and recycling costs as part of the EU's end-of-life vehicles directive, designed to promote recycling.
It requires all hazardous substances such as oil, brake fluid and coolant to be removed from vehicles before they are scrapped. This could cost up to £100 a car.
Vehicle manufacturers will be forced to foot the bill from 2007 but until then the last owner will have to pay.
Mr Huhne, a Liberal Democrat, said this would lead to more cars being dumped on the roadside.
He said a tax should be placed on new cars instead, as their owners are more likely to be able to afford the extra scrapping costs.
He added: "The Government chose the worst possible option."
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