SMMT has called for an extension to the mayor's consultation on proposed changes to the congestion charge. In an initial response to Transport for London (TfL), the motor industry body has made clear that current proposals will neither significantly cut CO₂ nor reduce congestion in the capital and that, given the complexity of the scheme, more time is needed for discussion.

TfL's own figures claim a CO₂ saving of up to 8,100 tonnes under the plan to base central London charges on car CO₂ emissions. That compares to total ground-based transport emissions in London of 9.7 million tonnes. In other words, the maximum benefit for the capital would be a CO₂ reduction of just 0.084 per cent.

To put this in context, improvements at UK car and commercial vehicle manufacturing sites have cut CO₂ from 2.14 to 1.36 million tonnes in just four years, a saving of 36.5 per cent. Average new car CO₂ emissions have also come down by 12 per cent in a decade, saving an estimated one million tonnes of CO₂ each year in the UK.1

Concerns about environmental improvements come after an independent report suggested that changes could encourage between 4-10,000 additional cars onto central London roads. That means more congestion and delays for drivers within the zone, as well as minimal benefit for the environment, if the plans proceed.

'The motor industry has asked the mayor for an extension to the consultation period to work with Transport for London,' said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan. 'The issues are complex and TfL must be absolutely clear about the scheme's aims. Its execution must also deliver the greatest benefit both in terms of congestion and CO₂ reduction and the charges to drivers must be proportionate.'