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C-charge could be dropped for low-emission and diesel cars
Katharine Barney, City Hall Reporter05.08.09
Drivers of thousands of low-emission petrol and diesel cars may soon be able to enter the congestion charge zone free.
Mayor Boris Johnson has ordered a review of the rules after a campaign highlighted an apparent discrepancy that favours electric and hybrid cars.
They are exempt from the £8 weekday charge, while a new generation of low-emission petrol and diesel vehicles still have to pay - even though they emit less CO2 than the supposedly "green" hybrids.
The Mayor has come under pressure from car manufacturer Volvo and an internet campaign to rethink the rules.
However, he has been warned by transport campaigners that such a move could add to congestion.
The zone's primary purpose is to reduce jams, not emissions. Richard Hebditch, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Exempting more cars will increase congestion and traffic."
Reader views (1)
Congestion charging is about combatting CONGESTION while the LEZ is about combating pollution.
The big mistake Ken made was to excempt electric vehicles and to propose high emitting vehicles should pay £25 C-Charge.
The simple solution would be to make all vehicles (except buses and Taxis) pay the C-Charge and expand the LEZ rules to cover all vehicles and charge depending on which band a vehicle fell.
Buses and Taxis would NOT be excempt from the LEZ charges given that a large amount of pollution comes from Londons taxis, this would make them clean up their act.
Pollution does not stop on a street corner thats why the LEZ which covers all London has to be used. However, yet again Boris proved soft on this by failing to implement to LEZ charges for light vans, hence this article which arises as petrol heads see Boris as a soft touch compared to former Mayor Ken.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
