London congestion charge changes up for consultation

A public consultation is underway to asses proposals aimed at altering the London congestion charging scheme to improve air quality in the capital.


A public consultation is underway to asses proposals aimed at altering the London congestion charging scheme to improve air quality in the capital.

The proposed changes include the introduction of a new Ultra Low Emission Discount (ULED), an increase in the penalty charge and the removal of the under-used retail (shop) payment channel.

To take place in July 2013, the introduction of the ULED, would mean that electric and ultra-low emission cars and vans would be completely exempt from paying the congestion charge

To qualify, vehicles will have to be either pure electric or be cars and vans that emit 75g/km or less of CO2 and meet the Euro 5 emission standard for air quality.

The ULED would replace the current Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD), which applied to vehicles that emitted 100g/km or less, and the electric vehicle discount.

It would ensure that only ultra-low emission vehicles would be provided with a 100% discount of the congestion charge.

Over the past decade diesel car sales have increased from around 10% to 50%, partly as a result of low carbon vehicle incentives and a Euro 4 diesel car emits about 22 times as much particulate matter as the equivalent petrol car.

Transport for London (TfL) said that no currently available diesel car would meet the criteria for the discount so the proposed ULED will help tackle the increasing dieselisation of London’s car fleet.

TfL congestion charging director Nick Fairholme encouraged as many people as possible to submit their views on these proposed changes.

“We do listen to our customers and have made significant changes to the scheme in recent years, including the removal of the Western Extension and the introduction of congestion charging (CC) Auto Pay, as a result of listening to these views,” he said.

TfL is also seeking views on proposals to increase the penalty charge for the congestion charge from £120 to £130.

Conor McGlone

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