A senior London Assembly Member has warned that forcing traders with electric vehicles to pay Congestion Charge fees from December will be “counterproductive” in encouraging Londoners to stop using diesel and petrol vehicles.

Elly Baker, Labour’s spokesperson for Transport in City Hall, said TfL’s proposals to remove the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) from electric vans and other vehicles used by small businesses would create a barrier for them to make the green switch, says Harrow Online.

TfL is currently consulting on proposals which would see the 100% CVD end on Christmas Day this year – instead giving electric cars a 25% discount, and heavier electric vehicles a 50% reduction.

The fee for driving within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) is also set to rise from £15 to £18, according to the proposals, meaning traders with electric vans would need to pay a £9 fee every time they venture into Central London.

In a letter to TfL seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms Baker said that businesses “will use the Congestion Charge zone whatever the level of charge” and that plans to slash the discount in half would see small businesses returning to petrol or diesel vehicles due to “economic pressures”.

“Business need deliveries, as do hospitals and schools. Small businesses such as electricians and plumbers still need to enter the Congestion Charge zone to work. Therefore, we want these vehicles to be electric and retaining the 100% CVD will encourage more businesses to make the switch and avoid existing small businesses considering returning to petrol or diesel vehicles on a cost basis.”

(Pic: DfT)