Filed under: Legislation and Policy
RMIF: London Congestion Charge should not be based on emissions
The consultation period on London Mayor Ken Livingstone's revised congestion charge plan starts today. Getting in an opening salvo, the non-executive chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), Alec Murray, says straight-up that the proposal won't work."The emissions of most private cars driven in central London fall below the highest proposed emissions-based congestion charge level , so it is questionable if the proposed plan will achieve its aim of further reducing central London traffic levels," he said in a statement.
Murray and the RMIF say the problem is that since there are so many new cars being sold that fall into the congestion charge waiver category (exactly what Citroën was advertising the other day), an emissions-based plan will not limit the amount of cars in downtown London.
While I take RMIF's point, Livingstone is working on this plan to "tackle climate change," not only to reduce the number of vehicles. I know the specifics matter, but 100 low-CO2 cars are better for the air than 75 high-CO2 ones, no? Of course, 50 bikes and 50 low-CO2 cars is even better...
[Source: Mayor of London, RMIF]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 3:37PM (8/10/2007)
So... if it is the case that:
"The emissions of most private cars driven in central London fall below the highest proposed emissions-based congestion charge level"
That means that some are above, and will have to pay the highest rates, and others are below, and will fall into lower rate categories. Isn't that exactly the point of having a graduated system, that you can always fall into a lower category?
"...so it is questionable if the proposed plan will achieve its aim of further reducing central London traffic levels,"
I would think any plan that increases the cost of driving into the city would succeed at reducing traffic congestion. As far as I understand it, nobody's rates are going down, they're just not going UP if you drive a small/hybrid/electric car.
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mrs mavis nye 3:07PM (10/24/2007)
I have taken upon myself to start a petition.
So may I call upon you all to back me, as not all of us have a new Motorhome.
I love my older van and do not wish to "scrap it."
For many a pensioner it is not an option.
My petition has been approved by the Number 10 web team, and
Is now available on the Number 10 website at the following
Address:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/motorhomes/
My petition reads:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Exempt
Motorhomes from the new Emmission Charges.
Motorhome Owners average Mileage in England is aprox 6,000 per
Year. We rally at weekends and enjoy holidays around the
Country as well. The Hobby is enjoyed by retired couples and so
We cannot afford fines or scrap our vehicles, as advised in
Many of the articles on the subject. Our carbon footprint is
Very small compared to Lorries (English or foreign).
Ken Livingstone's LEZ rules state that the vehicles that will be charged for using the LEZ are: "The classes specified for the purposes of paragraph (1) are Class M2, Class M3, Class N1 subclasses (ii) and (iii), Class N2 and Class N3"
I have also found a recent Euro directive that states: "5.1. "Motor Caravan" means a special purpose M category vehicle constructed to include living accommodation which contains at least the following equipment:
– seats and table,
– sleeping accommodation which may be converted from the seats,
– cooking facilities, and
– storage facilities.
This equipment shall be rigidly fixed to the living compartment; however, the table may be designed to be easily removable."
If you were wondering what a motorhome may be, here is a breakdown of the M class:
1. Category M: Motor vehicles with at least four wheels designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers.
Category M1: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
Category M2: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes.
Category M3: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tonnes.
To my mind that would make a motorhome a M1 class and therefore exempt from the LEZ. But it obviously cannot be that simple otherwise all those with motorhomes wouldn't be making such a fuss. Or have I found the loophole in the system?
Obviously, these passages are taken from much larger documents which I have in full if anyone wants to look.
Are our 'vans being classified in the correct manner? Are they classified as M1 class as the Euro directive suggests or are they being classified as a commercial vehicle? How can we check and more importantly, how can we change the class of vehicle if it is wrong?
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Mr.RG & Mrs.AE Nelson 9:59AM (3/23/2008)
Most motorhomes do not do agreat deal of miles, my own for example does only about 6 to 8000 miles per calender year. I have a small car for general use, this also is a low mileage vehicle. Gary Nelson
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