The CO2 emissions based system of charging cars to enter the London Congestion Charge area has been scrapped.

The proposals would have allowed cars with emissions below 120g/km to enter the charge zone free of charge; vehicles with emissions between 121g/km-225g/km would have paid the current £8 charge; while cars with emissions in excess of 225g/km would have paid £25 per day.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “My commitment to making the congestion charge fairer and more effective for Londoners is well known. I am delighted we have been able to scrap the £25 charge.

“I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free.”

The discount for alternative fuel vehicles – such as hybrids like the Honda Civic – will remain in place and the existing Congestion Charge scheme will not be affected.

The London Low Emission Zone, which seeks to reduce harmful emissions from the largest diesel-engined vehicles like lorries, buses and coaches, is unaffected.

Further information

• Go to the Editor’s Blog for CO2 Congestion Charge goes
• For details of the London Congestion Charge, go to Tax: how much is the London Congestion Charge?
  
• Picture credit: (c) Transport for London 2005