Changes to London’s Congestion Charge come into force today (January 4, 2011) which introduce a radical overhaul to the exemptions for lower emission vehicles.
The Alternative Fuel Discount (AFD) closes to new applicants as the new Greener Vehicle Discount comes into operation. The new system of exemptions permits all vehicles which emit below 100g/km of CO2 and meet Euro 5 air quality standards to travel throughout the UK capital city without charge. This simpler system levels the qualifying criteria to all types of vehicle technology. The previous system, which automatically rejected petrol and diesel vehicles, was much criticised by auto makers and motorists alike for automatically favouring hybrid vehicles regardless of emission levels.
A host of new vehicles will now qualify for a 100 per cent discount from the Charge, including the variants of the Audi A3, Citroen DS3, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Lexus CT-200h, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo and Volvo C3O to name a few. These fossil fuelled vehicles join hybrid models such as the Toyota Prius and electric cars such as the Peugeot iON and Mitsubushi i-MiEV which can also be driven through the city without paying the fee.
The changes to the system come into force after a break in charging over the Christmas period. From Christmas Eve up to and including the Monday January 3, 2011, no vehicles travelling through the charge zone needed to pay the charge.
Other changes to the charge introduce today include the scrapping of the Western Extension making the charge zone much smaller and a hike in the charge rate from £8 a day to £9 if paid using the new Auto Pay system; or £10 if paid in advance (or on the day) using conventional means and £12 if paid the next charging day.
The new Auto Pay accounts mean drivers need never be fined again for forgetting to pay the charge. Motorists can for a CC Auto Pay account at www.cclondon.com. To register, you need a credit or debit card and will have to pay a £10 registration charge for each vehicle on the account.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "The long desired eradication of the western extension is my Christmas present to the people who live, work and shop in west London. My predecessor wilfully ignored their objections, I promised a fresh consultation and I am a man of my word. Our new Autopay system means motorists need never be clobbered by fines and, with the introduction of a revamped environmental discount, this is undoubtedly the year we have made the congestion charge far fairer.”
