Thousands more motorists will face a £12.50 daily charge to drive in London as the city’s Mayor expands the Ultra-low emission zone to the whole of the capital rather than the current zone within the North and South Circular Roads.
The Telegraph says ULEZ will be expanded across all of Greater London from August 29, and adds that Mr Khan said it was “one of the toughest decisions I’ve taken”.
Whether or not a vehicle is liable for the charge depends on how much nitrogen dioxide it emits.
For diesel cars and vans to avoid the charge they must generally have been registered from 2016, while most petrol models registered from 2006 are exempt.
Nicholas Lyes, head of roads policy at the RAC, told the newspaper the announcement will be “a hammer blow for desperate drivers and businesses already struggling with crippling fuel costs”.
The policy has been criticised because it means those with the oldest cars have to pay extra, but they have those cars because they cannot afford anything better. Former London Mayor candidate Steve Norris previously described it as “a tax on the poor for being poor”.
(Picture – RAC)
