New restrictions on petrol and diesel for London city centre

29 August 2018

London is introducing its toughest pollution restrictions yet on petrol and diesel vehicles. Motorists will now pay £130 (€144) when driving any car that isn’t an electric or hybrid model.

Measures are being introduced in the boroughs of Hackney and Islington on September 3, in tandem with the start of the school year.

The scheme goes hand-in-hand with the new ultra-low-emission zones being introduced, which place additional charges on diesel and electric vehicles when entering the city.

Nine roads will be impacted by the ultra-low emission zones, all of which surround the Old Street roundabout. On these roads, cars that emit more than 75g of CO2 per kilometre will be banned between 7am and 10am and 4pm and 7pm during weekdays.

The restrictions come at a time when London is also adding emissions-based parking fees to the Square Mile.

Chris Hayward, Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: ′The Square Mile is one of London’s busiest areas. Therefore, it is only right that the City of London Corporation continues to prioritise providing a safe and healthy environment for its workers, visitors and residents.’

This news comes as Siemens unveils plans to deliver 1,150 charge points to be delivered by the end of 2020 in a £3.7 million (€4.1 million) scheme.

Chris Beadsworth, Director, Siemens Energy Management, said: ′By using existing infrastructure, it will provide a quality, convenient and simple charging point to help accelerate the increase in privately owned electric vehicles. Our aim is that charging your car should be as simple as charging your phone.’

Some figures within the industry fear that the variety of new regulations surrounding emissions have created pitfalls for commuters within the city.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: ′This is going to be incredibly confusing for drivers who will be charged different amounts for driving in different parts of the country. We must have a more concerted policy rather than the ad hoc measures we’re currently seeing.’

The move is in addition to the London T-Charge, an extra £10 (€11.10) on top of the city’s congestion charge for petrol and diesel vehicles with Euro 3 or lower engines. This was announced in October last year, meaning vehicles registered before 2006 will have to pay extra to enter London between 7am and 6pm every weekday. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, often an outspoken critic of pollution and diesel engines in particular, has introduced the charge.