London congestion zone - big changes, please read

bigjl

Just had a look on TFL website and found this page.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/6733.aspx

Don't know how that reads to anybody else but i think it means a lot of cars that have enjoyed exemption are in a bit of trouble. Including some of my friends. A 2004 Pruis emits 104g/km.

This will have serious effects on these cars residuals, so this has been sneaked in under the radar whilst the western extention was removed, I always liked BoJo, but this just shows that Politicians are like large local authority employers, they give you what you asked for but there is always a hidden cost in the new contract.

We got the western extention scrapped, as promised, then this was hidden in there, typical.

Even some Euro 5 cars won't qualify due to not meeting the 100g/km limit.

Great, especially since the big problem is particulates.

Though it explains why the new Merc Ambulances have the stupidly small 2.2 engine in them, to drive a nigh on 4 tonne when unladen vehicle, they are Euro 5, with a DPF, which made the Zafiras so unreliable that they are now getting rid of them, the newest only being 3 years old.

Stupid Politicians, they should have gone for the CNG Merc Sprinter.

Comstock

bigjl wrote: »

We got the western extention scrapped, as promised, then this was hidden in there, typical.

Yes. There has been almost no publicity about this.

Look at this little lot http://desc.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cars-/9801/i.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=lpg+congestion+charge&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

30 cars all claiming congestion charge exemption. None of them will qualify because if you change owners you lose your existing discount.

And 50 commercial vehicles too. http://desc.shop.ebay.co.uk/Commercial-Vehicles-/63732/i.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=lpg+congestion+charge&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Again, I'm pretty sure none of them qualify under new rules.

Potentially that's 80 very !!!!ed people out there! :mad:

Arfa__

Comstock wrote: »

Just to make it clear, the LPG conversion discount is now closed to new entrants. Exisiting discount holders will keep their discount for two years, unless they sell their car.

Some older Priuses or other hybrids won't be exempt anymore either, again existing discount holders will keep their discount for two years.

The only cars now exempt are those emitting under 100g/km of CO2 and hitting Euro 5. Pretty much nothing pre 2009 hits that.


Bottom line: Don't convert your car to LPG or buy an already converted car with the hope of being C-charge exempt-you will be out of luck!

Yep, got a letter a couple of week ago regarding this. I've got the discount on my LPG Zafira, but will only keep the exemption until 2012. No new applicants will be accepted, including whoever I may sell my car too, even though its currently exempt until 2012.

They're reasoning was, many new cars that aren't on alternative fuel actually have lower emissions than my Zaffy on LPG. Kind of makes sense I suppose. Still annoying though.

seanshark

Comstock wrote: »

It will be much later than that now. There is now no automatic exempt for hybrids. The only grounds for exemption are emitting less than 100g/km and hitting Euro 5 emission standards, which new Priuses happen to do- so new Toyota Priuses will be exempt for this reason.

The second to last page of this PDF would appear to suggest no cars before September 2009 will qualify for C-charge exempt status, but it doesn't make clear exactly which models from late 2009 and 2010 qualify.


EDIT: after much playing with the VED calculator, the cut off date for the prius would appear to be May 2010- but I wouldn't place any faith at all on that.


Bottom line: Don't buy a second hand Prius hoping to gain congestion charge exempt status- you will almost certainly be out of luck, unless it is a very recent model. Brand new Priuses-if you are lucky enough to afford one- should be fine

In case anybody is interested the easy way to tell if a Prius is now exempt is if it is the Current model which has a 1.8 litre Petrol engine, the previous model was a 1.5 litre. This changed in early 2009 but there was some overlap of the models so when it was registered is less helpful. The 1.8 litre engine is under 100g/km Co2 the 1.5 litre engine is over.

Comstock

seanshark wrote: »

In case anybody is interested the easy way to tell if a Prius is now exempt is if it is the Current model which has a 1.8 litre Petrol engine, the previous model was a 1.5 litre. This changed in early 2009 but there was some overlap of the models so when it was registered is less helpful. The 1.8 litre engine is under 100g/km Co2 the 1.5 litre engine is over.

Cheers. That may be of use to someone.