Scores of low emission and hybrid vehicles will no longer be exempt from London's spectacularly successful congestion pricing scheme because their growing popularity has increased pollution and traffic in the capital, reports the Daily Mail.
If approved by Mayor Boris Johnson, Transport for London's proposal to end the £10 congestion charge exemption for "[m]ore than 50 ‘green’ models, which includes the petrol/electric Toyota Prius," will go into effect this July.
"The U-Turn has provoked an outcry from motoring organisations, who accused authorities of moving the ‘green goalposts’. And the move is also expected to cause anger among motorists who bought their cars to take advantage of the exemption."
Of the 70,000 vehicles that enter the congestion zone each day, 2,500 qualify for the Greener Vehicle Discount. "It is understood the changes to the pricing will generate up to an extra £2 million a year," which the Daily Mail says "will go some way to plugging the £60 million lost since the abandoning the Congestion Charge’s western extension."
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
London Congestion Pricing Zone Has No Impact on Local Spending
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Watch Out for Green Class Backlash
Low emission zones, like that implemented in London, face backlash from critics on all sides of the political spectrum for impacting the poorest drivers and putting a burden on small businesses.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
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Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
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Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
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