London to target 'Chelsea tractors'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Transport for London has been consulting on proposals to increase the charge for the highest-polluting vehicles from £8 to £25.

In contrast, it is proposed that cars emitting the lowest amounts of greenhouse gas emissions should get a 100% discount from the charge.

At County Hall in London, Mr Livingstone will announce his decision on the proposals which are being seen as a crackdown on the "Chelsea tractor" owners of 4x4 off-road vehicles.

If, as expected, the £25 charge is introduced it will take effect from October later this year, with a public information campaign taking place to make sure everyone is aware of the new regulations.

The scheme would be reviewed by 2010 to ensure that the decongestion and carbon dioxide (CO2) benefits of the scheme were being maintained.

The £25 charge would be imposed for cars with CO2 emissions of 226 grams per kilometre (g/k) or above. Vehicles with 120g/k or less would get a 100% discount.

Introduced in February 2003, the congestion charge was initially £5 a day and was confined to an area of central London.

Since then, the daily rate has gone up to £8 and a western extension, incorporating such areas as Kensington and Chelsea, has been added to the congestion area.

The initiative expected to be announced today is part of Mr Livingstone's climate change action plan which aims to reduce the capital's CO2 emissions to 60% below 1990 levels by the year 2025.