Congestion Charge Exempt Vehicles
Congestion charge exempt vehicles are becoming more popular, with the Central London charging area widened recently and other UK cities such as Durham, Manchester and Sheffield introducing – or considering the introduction of - congestion charges.
With the benefits of congestion charging – reduction in traffic levels and pollution, leading to better air quality, shorter journey times etc. – it will only be a matter of time before other major cities, both in the UK and mainland Europe, instigate a form of congestion charge.
At present only central London has implemented the congestion charge – and for certain types of vehicle Transport for London has granted a 100% exemption. The vehicles which are designated congestion charge exempt vehicles must be powered by an alternative fuel, bi-fuel or dual fuel (often referred to as hybrid vehicles) and not solely by petrol or diesel, they must also meet strict emissions criteria. Vehicles which fit into these categories must be registered as a congestion charge exempt vehicle with Transport for London (TfL), which can be done by downloading a form from their website, www.tfl.gov.uk.
Congestion Charge exempt vehicles – helpful information:
The current range of congestion charge exempt hybrid vehicles are available on both personal and business contracts as shown on our website here (www.yourcarchoice.com). Some examples are Toyota Prius, Honda Civic IMA, Lexus GS-450h and Lexus LS-600h. We would be happy to provide quotations on these vehicles, and on others as and when they become available. We understand that several manufacturers including BMW, Chevrolet, Mazda and VW are developing their own hybrid engine, and BMW has just launched an enhancement to it’s current range of vehicles called “Efficient Dynamics” which adds the technology to stop and restart the engine when waiting at lights on in traffic queues – although this range of cars will not be congestion charge exempt vehicles for the foreseeable future.
Electrically powered cars and vans are also congestion charge exempt vehicles. To qualify for the 100% discount the vehicle has to be registered with the Driver Licensing and Vehicle Agency (DVLA) and show the fuel type as “electric” on the V5C form (the registration document or ‘log book’). You can register with TfL for this discount by telephoning them on 0845 900 1234, or again there is a downloadable form on their website.
Vehicles with nine or more seats are also classed as congestion charge exempt vehicles. This includes public carriage vehicles, buses and coaches with nine or more seats and which are licensed with the DVLA in either tax class ‘Bus’ or ‘Reduced Pollution Bus’. TfL recognises the vehicle by its tax class and these vehicles do not need to register for the discount. However, vehicles with nine or more seats (including the driver’s seat), such as work buses, community service buses and private-hire mini buses, registered with the DVLA in tax classes different from the two shown above will need to register with TfL to ensure that they claim their discount on a congestion charge exempt vehicle. Fleet discounts – if you have ten or more vehicles on a fleet (which can include discounted and chargeable vehicles) you can also register them with TfL.
Boris Johnson, the newly elected Mayor of London, has now officially scrapped Ken Livingstone’s plans for a CO2 based Congestion Charge in Central London. This charge, which was due to come into force on 27th October this year, would have increased charges for cars with the highest CO2 emissions (>225 g/km) from zero to £25 and would have given a discount for all cars with emissions of 120 g/km or less. Mr Johnson believes that this charge, had it been implemented, would “have actually made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free”.
The Transport for London website – www.tfl.gov.uk – has further downloadable information and application forms – you must register your vehicle with TfL in order to claim any congestion charge exemption and/or discount.
Congestion charging zone information:
The Congestion Charging Zone in Central London operates between the hours of 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and the charge must be paid unless you drive a congestion charge exempt vehicle or you are entitled to a discount. The charge does not apply on Bank Holidays or on the first three charging days that follow 26th December each year (these days do not need to be consecutive). The zone is clearly signalled by a large red C on a white background and warnings are given on all major routes into the capital that you are approaching the congestion charge zone.
The current charge is £8 if you pay by midnight on the day of travel or £10 if you pay by midnight the following charging day (you can pay on day or on the following charging day via the call centre on 0845 900 1234 and also via the website, www.tfl.gov.uk). You can also pay before entering the zone, and when in the zone, at designated pay-points such as newsagents and fuel stations.
