The re-introduction of the congestion charge exemption for vehicles powered by LPG and incentives to convert to vehicles could improve the health of Londoners. 

The claim comes from Autogas following new research by King’s College London which revealed that 9,400 die each year in London as a result of long-term exposure to air pollution, more than twice as many people as previously thought.

The premature deaths are caused by two key pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulates (PM2.5) which are both significantly lower in vehicles powered by Autogas LPG compared with both petrol and diesel.

NO2 emissions from Autogas vehicles are up to 80 percent lower than diesel and particulates are up to 98 percent lower than diesel.

“These latest figures are incredibly worrying and show that immediate action is required by the Mayor’s office to protect the health and save the lives of those living and travelling into the city,” said Linda Gomersall, general manager, Autogas.

“In the past, incentives were available to those converting to LPG. Motorists travelling into the Capital on autogas LPG were also rewarded for taking the cleaner option by receiving a 100 percent discount from the congestion charge. However, since the Mayor’s office removed this discount and the wider conversion incentive was withdrawn, many drivers fail to consider this cleaner alternative, often going back to more heavily polluting diesels. By re-introducing the discount for LPG powered cars and offering conversion incentives once again, many motorists will be encouraged back to the cleaner fuel and we can start making an immediate improvement in London’s air quality.”

The latest news about the Capital’s poor air quality comes just months after the Supreme Court ordered the Government to take swift action to improve air quality across the UK as it continues to breach EU levels.

It also follows news that Bromley and Sutton were the only two London boroughs to meet annual mean limits for NO2 in 2013.

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