12 Feb 08 16:50
Transport for London has confirmed that from 27 October, drivers of high-emission vehicles into central London will have to pay a £25 charge each day, while cars qualifying for Band B tax (those emitting less than 120g/km of carbon dioxide) can enter the city for free.
Cars liable for the £25 charge are those in tax band G (226g/km or more) as well as those registered before March 2001 which have engines larger than 3,000cc. The charge will affect a number of large luxury saloons, high-performance sports cars and big MPVs, plus large SUVs, 4x4s and double-cab pick-ups. As a further disincentive to own such vehicles, the 90% discount for residents within the charging zone will also be removed.
Large luxury saloons will have to pay
The large number of exemptions may not last, either: mayoral aides have already told the London Evening Standard: 'We would be able to bring in a Band B charge of £4 very quickly if we need to.'
The 100% discount scheme for alternative-fuel cars (such as LPG-fuelled vehicles and hybrids which do not meet the 120g/km criteria) is also to end for newly-registered cars; this will be phased out in January 2010 for cars already on the road.
The NHS reimbursement programme will also be revised: patients travelling to hospitals by car will only be reimbursed £8, not the full £25 if they are in Band G vehicles.
Lorries and heavier vans will be liable for a reduced £6 charge if they meet the Euro 5 emissions standards.
Transport for London estimates that the majority of cars travelling within the congestion charge zone will be unaffected by the changes, as the current £8-a-day charge will continue to apply. The charge will remain imposed Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) between 7am and 6pm.
The revisions to the charging scheme are expected to bring in £30-£50m extra for Transport for London this year; TfL says that it will spend much of this money on new walking and cycling initiatives, including a large fleet of bikes for hire in the city centre.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: 'Nobody needs to damage the environment by driving a gas-guzzling Chelsea tractor in central London. The C02 emissions from the most high-powered 4x4s and sports cars can be up to four times as great as the least-polluting cars.'
Critics, however, have pointed out that the new scheme could actually increase congestion, with more people buying and running exempt Band B cars. Some commuters, for example, may buy a small runaround for daily use but retain their larger vehicle for use at weekends and leaving the city, thus also contributing to parking problems in their local areas.
