Congestion Charge to be linked to CO2 emissions

The central London congestion charge was introduced in February 2003 with the aim of improving transport in the city by reducing congestion.  Although the congestion charge has helped to reduce congestion, London still emits enough CO2 each day to fill four million balloons.  Although there are obviously other contributing factors, car emissions do play a significant part in the CO2 emissions of the city.

With the aim of reducing this problem, Transport for London is currently conducting a consultation on whether to link the central London Congestion Charge to car CO2 emissions.  Under this scheme drivers of vehicles which have high emissions would pay more, with drivers of vehicles which have the lowest CO2 emissions paying nothing.

Transport for London are suggesting three payment levels:

• 100 per cent discount - cars with low CO₂ emissions that also meet the Euro 4 Air Quality Standard and are registered with us
• Standard £8 charge - cars with moderate emissions, and those with low emissions that do not meet the Euro 4 Air Quality Standard
• Higher £25 charge - cars with high CO₂ emissions

How are car CO2 emissions classified?

For the purpose of Transport for London’s proposal to link the central London Congestion Charge to car CO2 emissions, the following definitions will be used:

• Low emission - Cars classed as having low emission will be those that emit 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) or less.  Drivers of low emission cars will be able to register for the 100 per cent discount if their car also meets the Euro 4 standard for air quality
• Moderate emission - These are cars that emit between 121g/km and 225g/km.  Drivers of these cars would continue to pay the standard £8 charge, as would drivers of cars produced before 1 March 2001 with an engine size of up to and including 3,000cc
• High emission - High emission cars are those that emit more than 225g/km. Drivers of these cars would have to pay the higher £25 charge. (Cars first registered with the DVLA before 1 March 2001 would incur the higher £25 charge if their engines are over 3,000cc in size).

It is being proposed that the 100% discount for low emission cars would be introduced on 4th February 2008, with the higher £25 charge for cars with high emissions being introduced on 6th October 2008.  The charges would then be reviewed by 2010.