Approximately 19,000 vehicles, mainly with small diesel engines, currently escape the £10-a-day levy as their engines emit less than 100 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. But from July 2013 the levels will be reduced to less than 75g of CO2 per kilometre, and at present only all-electric and some hybrid cars can achieve this. Owners of cars that meet today’s levels will have a sunset period of two years before they lose their exempt status.
London is the most electrified car city in the UK with 16 per cent of all electric cars and 850 charging points rising to 1,300 by March 2013. Although EV sales remain low to date, 2013 will see plug-in electric vehicle launches from several manufacturers such as BMW, Renault, VW, Toyota and Volvo and sales will be significantly bossted in London by this clear signal of intent.
