by Stuart Milne

Drivers of the most polluting vehicles will face a 200 per cent increase in the cost of driving in London, it was announced today.

Congestion Charge fee will rise from £8 to £25 per day for the most polluting vehicles.

Drivers of vehicles in carbon emission Band G, which emit more than 225g of carbon dioxide per mile will be hit by the hike in 2008.

Cars which fall into this category include family cars - including some of the Ford Mondeo range - as well as many larger SUVs.

In another blow to London motorists, residents living inside the Congestion Charge zone will no longer be eligible for a 90 per cent discount if they drive Band G vehicles - costing them an extra £6,000 a year in fees.

The Congestion Charge will be lifted for vehicles falling into Bands A and B, which produce the lowest emissions.

However, according to the Government’s Car Fuel Data website, there are no cars falling into Band A, and just a handful in Band B.

Ken Livingstone said: “Most vehicles that will be charged £25 are high-priced models. Those who buy them can afford to choose from pretty much the whole of the mainstream car market but have chosen to buy one of the most polluting vehicles.”

A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: “Ken Livingstone is doing this under the banner of congestion, but is just further taxation.

“Those that choose to drive larger cars already pay more for road tax and fuel, so it’s a triple whammy from Ken.”

(this article was taken from autotrader.co.uk)

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