Ken steps up battle with 4x4 owners

15 November 2006

Plans to charge high-polluting vehicles an increased congestion charge are to be taken forward by the mayor of London.
Ken Livingstone has said, as part of his ongoing crusade to reduce London’s carbon dioxide levels he wants to introduce emissions-based charging to the existing congestion charge scheme.
The plans, mooted for a while, were officially launched this week, and will hit owners of high-emission vehicles that are already under the spotlight in another part of London. Richmond upon Thames Council announced plans last month to charge more for residents’ parking permits for cars producing higher CO2 emissions and less for the least-polluting vehicles (Surveyor, 26 October).
The latest move to drive ‘gas-guzzlers’ off the road could see the most polluting cars pay £25 to enter the congestion charging zone, which is due to double in size when it is expanded to the west to take in Knightsbridge, Kensington High Street and Notting Hill from 19 February next year.
But, lower-polluting vehicles – such as all electric cars – qualify for a 100% discount. Livingstone’s plans would see the vehicle excise duty band determine the cost of driving into the zone, with A and B vehicles which produce less than 120g of CO₂ per kilometre – meeting Euro IV standard – not being charged at all.
Vehicles in bands C, D, E and F will be charged the current £8 charge, but those in band G – producing above 225g CO₂ per kilometre – will now face a £25 charge. Central London residents with these vehicles will be hit hardest, as they will lose the 90% resident’s discount currently enjoyed by all those living within the congestion-charging zone.
Livingstone, said: ‘Most vehicles that will be charged £25 are high-priced models. Those who buy them can afford to choose from pretty much the whole of the mainstream car market but have chosen to buy one of the most polluting vehicles.
‘We are already cleaning up London’s fleet of public vehicles through measures such as the introduction of hybrid buses.’
Subject to consultation, it is proposed the discount for the least-polluting vehicles will start in 2008.
The surcharge for band G vehicles is planned for between 2009 and 2010, but the mayor is keen to speed up the start date, and is asking Transport for London to look into moving it forward.

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