Tighter emission regulations proposed for London

London's congestion charge could be tightened in 2013, if new emission recommendations are accepted by mayor Boris Johnson that could see just electric cars escape the levy. Around 19,000 vehicles, mainly those with small diesel engines, currently escape the levy as their engines emit less than 100 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. From July 2013, emission levels could be cut to less than 75 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre; at present only some hybrid and all-electric cars achieve that level. Own
December 3, 2012 Read time: 1 min
London's congestion charge could be tightened in 2013, if new emission recommendations are accepted by mayor Boris Johnson that could see just electric cars escape the levy.

Around 19,000 vehicles, mainly those with small diesel engines, currently escape the levy as their engines emit less than 100 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

From July 2013, emission levels could be cut to less than 75 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre; at present only some hybrid and all-electric cars achieve that level. Owners of cars that meet today’s levels will have a grace period of two years before they lose their exempt status.

London has around 16% of all UK electric cars and some 850 charging points. Car makers 948 General Motors and 838 Nissan have asked the chancellor for more help to boost electric car sales.

Related Content

  • September 19, 2017
    New services and equipment helps cities tackle air quality issues
    With poor urban air quality shortening lives and fines being imposed for breaching pollution limits, authorities are seeking ways to clean up their cities. Poor air quality is topping the agenda for city authorities across the globe. In the UK, for example, a report from the Royal Colleges of Physicians and of Paediatrics and Child Health, concluded that poor outdoor air quality shortens the lives of around 40,000 people a year – principally by undermining the health of people with heart and/or lung prob
    Read More
  • October 24, 2018
    London’s zero-emission plan is premature, warns FTA
    Plans to implement a clean air zone in London are premature, says a transport trade body - because zero-emission vehicles are not commercially viable. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is unimpressed with the City of London Transport Strategy’s ambition to improve air quality and traffic in the east of the capital and the Barbican area by 2022. This draft scheme, which maps out a 25-year framework for managing streets within the City’s ‘Square Mile’, includes establishing a speed limit of 15 mp
    Read More
  • December 1, 2015
    VW scandal prompts emissions testing debate
    In the wake of the VW scandal John Kendall looks at emissions testing on both sides of the Atlantic. Since the VW emissions story broke in September, emissions testing has come under greater scrutiny, and none more so than in Europe, where critics have long been highlighting the weaknesses of the testing system. Ironically, changes to the emissions testing process were already under review but the story has pushed it up the agenda.
    Read More
  • August 1, 2023
    Transportation’s electrifying future
    Climbing out of our silos will be vital to create the frameworks and networks needed to decarbonise transport, if we are serious about mitigating climate change, says Colin Sowman
    Read More

Highlighted Content