Tighter limits proposed for congestion charge discounts could see all new cars with emissions above 80g/km liable for fees from 2013.

Isabel Dedring, London Mayor’s environment advisor has said Mayor of London Boris Johnson is considering reducing the current 100g/km threshold for discount on the daily charge following a review and favour an 80g/km limit.

In a recent conference, held by the Society of Motor Manufacturers, Dedring highlighted key initiatives in place to drive emissions down further in the capital, including reducing 60% of carbon emissions in London by 2025.

This move to further reduce CO2 emissions in the congestion zone in 2013 is likely to help further boost the take up of electric vehicles, as no cars currently offer CO2 emissions of 80g/km or below.

Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, however, and if the proposals go ahead, it is likely to give fleet operators a strong incentive to consider them if the vehicles are used in the congestion charge zone regularly.

“We have the framework in place, but the pricing structure is proving to be problematic,” said Dedring.

“People simply do not have the cash to pay for them. We are looking to manufacturers to put together an affordable structure in place, so take up in electric vehicles can increase.”

Proposals also include an age limit (15 years) on taxi cabs from 2013, as well as a plan for all taxi cabs by 2020 to be zero emissions.

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