Congestion charge discount mooted for ‘green’ vans

5th December 2012

Transport for London is proposing to make the greenest vans eligible for exemption from the London Congestion Charge, by replacing the Greener and Electric Vehicle Discounts with a new Ultra Low Emission Discount.

To date exemption has been restricted to passenger cars.  But from 1 July 2013, all electric vehicles and cars/vans (light goods vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes gvw) which emit 75g/km of CO2 or less and meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality, would qualify for a 100% discount from the Congestion Charge if they are registered with TfL – as would plug-in hybrid electric vans with a minimum range of 10 miles in ‘electric’ mode and a maximum speed of at least 50 mph.  TfL is to publish a list of eligible vehicles.

An annual payment of £10 per vehicle would be required at the point of registration for the Ultra Low Emission Discount and for each subsequent year that the discount is renewed.

Vans registered for the current Electric Vehicle Discount would automatically qualify for the new Ultra Low Emission Discount.  TfL will automatically transfer the van to the new discount type.

TfL also wants to increase the fine for drivers not paying the Congestion Charge from £120 to £130.  It has launched a public consultation on the proposed changes, which ends on 8 February.          

Including vans in the discount scheme should encourage the uptake of ultra low emission commercial vehicles, says TfL.  In future, hydrogen, petrol or diesel vehicles may become available that also meet the eligibility criteria for the Ultra Low Emission Discount.