Skip to main content

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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Standardised technology aids low cost wireless communication
    November 13, 2012
    In the UK, the necessary radio spectrum has been identified and standardised technology developed to allow cost effective wireless communication between cars, devices and other ‘machines’. This by Professor William Webb. A world free of traffic congestion, with intelligent systems directing vehicles and alerting drivers to free parking spaces may sound a far off fantasy to motorists stuck in seemingly endless queues on the outskirts of London. Yet this is a scenario not confined to the world of science fict
  • Major funding for UK’s low carbon automotive technology
    January 19, 2016
    Five new innovative projects to develop new low carbon and energy efficient technology in the automotive sector have been awarded US$107 million of joint UK government and industry funding. The measure, which is set to boost jobs and growth in the sector, was announced today by Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, on a visit to the Morgan Motor Company. The funding has been awarded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre, a 10-year, US$1.4 billion joint partnership between Government and the automotive industry. T
  • Israel aspires to ITS-led future
    May 29, 2013
    Shay Soffer, Chief Scientist with the Israel National Road Safety Authority, talks to Jason Barnes about his country’s current ITS outlook and how he sees this developing in the future. Israel ranks alongside countries such as the US and France in the road safety stakes, with an average 7.1 deaths per billion kilometres driven. But at that point the similarities end, as the country’s overriding issue is pedestrian safety. This is driven by several factors, including being a relatively small country where pe
  • Nissan Unveils advances in connected car technology
    April 10, 2012
    Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Company's chief executive officer, has unveiled initiatives in automotive communications technology intended to move Nissan and Infiniti into a leadership position in the connected car content and services market. In announcing the collaboration with companies such as Google, Pandora Radio and Intel at the New York International Auto Show, Ghosn said, "It's clear that consumers expect to be connected wherever they are, and that includes the time spent in their automobiles. To mee