Volvo challenges congestion charge

The current charge exemption for all hybrid cars to London's Congestion Charge - regardless of their emissions levels - has been challenged by Volvo. The bias towards hybrid vehicles is a legacy of the time when the Congestion Charge was introduced, where hybrids were considered the only way to reduce emissions in London. Since then, many conventionally powered cars have caught up yet are not exempted from the charge. The range of CO₂ emissions from hybrids currently sold in the UK is between 89g/km and 219g/km.

Volvo has challenged the simple notion that hybrids are automatically cleaner, citing its DRIVe models as examples; the C30, S40 and V50 emit just 104g/km of CO₂ yet not exempt from the charge. At the end of 2008 there were 13 non-hybrid cars from other manufacturers emitting less than 105g/km of CO₂. Using the Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders sales figures, this would equate to over 9,500 owners of low-emission cars that should, given a level playing field, be exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Last month, Stuart Kerr, Regional President for Europe from Volvo Car Corporation wrote to The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, highlighting the disparity between the treatment of hybrid and conventional internal combustion-engined cars. In response to the campaign, The Mayor confirmed that the exemption to the Congestion Charge was introduced to incentivise the take-up of more environmentally-friendly vehicles. However, the Mayor has recognised that vehicle technology has developed considerably since then. Transport for London will report their recommendations by the end of the year.

Kyle Fortune