London to go zero emission by 2025
A new transport strategy for London has given fleets early warning that they will have to operate zero emission vehicles by 2025 to drive into the city centre.
The ambitious plans, announced this week by Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, also aim for walking, cycling and public transport to replace 3 million car journeys per day in the UK capital by 2041.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association acknowledged the need for action to combat poor air quality and reduce harmful emissions, but called for a considered and phased approach to avoid punishing businesses and car-owners. BVRLA members operate millions of cars, vans and trucks in and around London every day.
“People must be given practical and affordable alternatives if we are to deliver on his [the mayor’s] vision of reduced car use and zero-emission streets,” said Gerry Keaney, chief executive, BVRLA.
“We will be pushing the mayor to provide more support for electric vehicle infrastructure and car sharing.”
The mayor said motorised traffic is overwhelmingly responsible for the greatest environmental challenges faced by London, with road transport responsible for half of the main air pollutants.
Liveable Neighbourhoods
The city already has plans to introduce an Ultra Low Emission Zone for central London in 2019, although this will still allow Euro 4 petrol cars, vans and minibuses, and Euro 6 diesel cars, vans and minibuses to enter the zone.
More ambitious plans now include zero emission zones from 2025 for central London and certain town centres within the capital; expanding to inner London by 2040 and London-wide by 2050. Other new initiatives that will impact on fleets are walking-friendly ‘Liveable Neighbourhoods’, which could involve vehicle-free zones, where traffic is physically prevented from using specific streets, as well as more car-free days.
Property developers will also face restricted parking provision at new buildings, and any parking spaces that are permitted will be expected to have electric charging points. The mayor has also promised more support for car clubs.
“As London’s population is set to increase beyond 10 million, our future health and prosperity is more and more dependent on us reducing our reliance on cars,” said Khan.
“We’re setting ourselves a bold target of reducing car journeys by 3 million every day. We have to make not using your car the affordable, safest and most convenient option for Londoners going about their daily lives. This is not only essential for dealing with congestion as London grows, but crucial for reducing our toxic air pollution, and improving the health of all Londoners.”
He wants to establish a London-wide network of cycle routes, with 70 per cent of Londoners to live within 400 metres of a high quality, safe cycle route within 25 years.
Khan also pledged major investment in the train, Underground and bus network - all taxis will be zero emission capable by 2033 and all buses will be zero emission by 2037 - from next year, all new double-deck buses will have to be hybrid, electric or hydrogen.
London’s daily Congestion Charge, a flat fee of £11.50 (€13) per day, could also have an environmental element under new plans announced by the mayor. This would involve a change either to charging by distance, time, emissions, and road danger, or a single ‘per mile’ charge which would take into account both congestion and emissions.
