The T-Charge has now been rolled out across London’s existing congestion charge zone. Drivers of most cars made prior to 2006 (cars that don’t meet the Euro 4 emissions standard) will now be expected to pay £21.50 a day to drive through the centre of London. That’s £11.50 for the congestion charge and £10 for the new T-Charge – but what is it and why was it introduced?
In a press release, Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “As Mayor I am determined to take urgent action to help clean up London’s lethal air. The shameful scale of the public health crisis London faces, with thousands of premature deaths caused by air pollution, must be addressed.”
The press release went on to say that recent health data has shown a whopping 7.9 million Londoners – which is almost 95% of the population here – live in areas which exceed guidelines from the World Health Organisation on toxic air particles.
The T-charge was introduced in an attempt to get heavily polluting vehicles off the streets of Central London, and it will operate in the same areas and at the same times as the existing congestion charge. Vehicles made prior to 2006 are likely to be liable for the new charge. However those who drive vehicles made prior to 2008 are being urged to check if their car is liable for the new charge via the TFL website www.tfl.gov.uk/t-charge.
Will this new levy help to improve London’s toxic air? We will have to wait and see. But with the ultra-low emission zone being said to be brought in as soon as 2019, one thing’s for certain – Sadiq Khan isn’t messing around.
