THE Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, wants an ultra low emission zone for London.

The Mayor said it would be a world first and would be in place by 2020 following feasibility studies.

The ultra low emission zone for London would require all vehicles entering the capital during working hours to be zero emission, or ultra low emission (currently sub-75g/km CO2).

“My vision is a central zone where almost all the vehicles running during working hours are either zero or low emission. This would deliver incredible benefits in air quality and stimulate the delivery and mass use of low emission technology,” said Mayor Boris Johnson.

As part of the ultra low emission zone package, hybrid buses would be in place and all taxis would be zero emission, said the Mayor.

However, Friends of the Earth London Campaigner Jenny Bates said the Mayor’s plans were not enough:

“2020 is far too late for an Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London – EU pollution limits are supposed to be met by 2015.”

In November 2012, the Mayor announced that the Congestion Charge would be changed from July 2013, with the discount limited to electric cars and ultra low emission vehicles – click on our news story London Congestion Charge discounts to change next year to find out more.

The creation of the Ultra Low Emission Zone appears to be the next step in the Mayor’s attempts to clean up the air quality of London.