Congestion charge in London targets SUVs

Mayor Ken Livingstone of London (UK) is proposing that high polluting cars be charged ₤25 (approx US$ 47) per day to enter the central congestion charge zone.

Under the proposal, cars that produce more than 225 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer would pay the 25 pounds, with other vehicles continuing to pay the usual flat rate of 8 pounds (US$ 15.50) per day.

The new charge would come into effect, subject to consultation, in 2009 or 2010. The timeline was set to allow owners of heavily-polluting vehicles enough time to consider trading their vehicles for something smaller and more efficient.

In many local governments, it is the transportation sector that produces the most greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more, please visit www.iclei.org.

London is one of 159 local governments in Europe that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Europe, please visit www.iclei.org/europe.

Source: “End of the road: 4x4s targeted by ₤25 congestion super-charge”, The Guardian, 15 November 2006. “London targets gas-guzzlers with entry fee”, Reuters, 14 November 2006. “Driving a 4x4? That’ll be ₤25 a day, please”, The Telegraph, 16 November 2006.