A new levy on the most polluting vehicles, described as the toughest emission standard of any city worldwide, is to be introduced in central London from 23 October.
In a press release issued on 17 February, London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan revealed that the ‘T-charge’ (also known as the Emissions Surcharge) will operate on top of, and during the same operating times, as the Congestion Charge (Monday to Friday 7am-6pm).
A free online vehicle checker has also been launched to enable drivers to check whether their vehicle will be affected by the charge.
While endorsing the move, the RAC has however expressed concern that the introduction of the charge will come too soon for a lot of the affected vehicle owners.
The £10 ‘T-Charge’ is expected to affect up to 10,000 of the oldest, most polluting vehicles every week day. It will apply to motorists who own vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 standards – typically diesel and petrol engine vehicles registered before 2006.
The levy, which will use a camera-based mechanism for enforcement, is one of a number of measures being introduced to improve air quality, including the implementation of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Sadiq Khan said: “On the 14th anniversary of the start of the congestion charge, we are pressing ahead with the toughest emission standard of any major city.
“Londoners overwhelmingly support my plans to introduce this £10 charge because they feel when it comes to battling pollution the time for action is now.
“The T-Charge is a vital step in tackling the dirtiest diesels before I introduce the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone as early as 2019.”
Nick Lyes, RAC roads policy spokesman, said: “We welcome the introduction of the T-charge as nobody denies that action is needed to clean up London’s air pollution and it quite rightly tackles the most polluting vehicles first.
“We are, however, concerned that it coming into force in October doesn’t give owners of vehicles affected by the charge much time to acquire newer ones.
“What’s more, owners of these older vehicles are also those that are likely to be less well-off and therefore may struggle to purchase a cleaner vehicle in such a short period of time. It could also disproportionately impact on struggling smaller businesses.”
Photo: the London Assembly.
22 February 2017