Congestion Charge changes start kicking in
Under the changes, which are intended to make the scheme greener and more efficient, the penalty charge has been increased by £10 to £130, effective from yesterday (20th May).
In addition there are two further changes to the Congestion Charge scheme which the Mayor and TfL confirmed last month. The Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD) and Electric Vehicle Discount (EVD) will be replaced by an Ultra Low Emission Discount (ULED); and from 26 July 2013 shops will no longer process Congestion Charge payments.
Registrations for the GVD and EVD will close from 28th June 2013. Anyone registered to receive the GVD by this date will continue to receive a 100% discount from paying the Congestion Charge for a period of three years until 24th June 2016.
Vehicles registered for the current EVD will automatically qualify for the new ULED and owners do not need to take any action.
People can apply for the new ULED from 1st July 2013 and the discount will provide a single 100% discount from the Congestion Charge for electric vehicles and ultra low emission cars and vans.
To qualify for the new discount vehicles will have to be either pure electric or be cars and vans that emit 75g/km or less of CO2 and meet the Euro 5 emission standard for air quality.
The option to pay the Congestion Charge by cash in shops will end from 26th July 2013 as a result of fewer people using that payment method and to reduce the costs of operating the scheme.
Drivers will still be able to pay the Congestion Charge using a wide range of other means including online, by phone, by text message or by CC Auto Pay.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
