London institutes charge for high-emissions vehicles

See "£25 congestion charge will hit 30,000 of worst polluting vehicles, says mayor," from the Guardian. From the article:

Drivers of high powered sports cars and 4x4s will be hit by a new £25 charge every time they enter central London under plans to reduce congestion and cut pollution across the capital.

The London mayor, Ken Livingstone, said around 30,000 of the worst polluting vehicles would face a threefold price rise from October, while the most environmentally friendly cars would be able to enter the congestion zone free of charge.

"The CO2 charge will encourage people to switch to cleaner vehicles or public transport and ensure that those who choose to carry on driving the most polluting vehicles help pay for the environmental damage they cause," said Livingstone. "This is the 'polluter pays' principle. At the same time, the 100% discount for the lowest CO2 emitting vehicles will give drivers an incentive to use the least polluting cars available."

Livingstone said the new charge was part of a package of measures, including the introduction of a clean air zone and a £500m investment in walking and cycling, that would help London reduce its CO2 emissions by 60% by 2025.

A sign at the start of the Low Emission Zone in Uxbridge, in west London, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Trucks that produce high levels of pollution will have to pay $400 (266 euro) a day to drive into London under rules that came into effect Monday. Mayor Ken Livingstone says the "low-emission zone" will improve air quality and reduce pollution-related deaths. But groups representing truckers claim it will be expensive to implement and bring little benefit. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)