A new proposal from London Mayor Sadiq Khan could see classic owners charged £10 for entering the centre of the capital from 2017.
The T-charge – or toxicity charge – will cost owners of pre-Euro 4-standard petrol and diesel vehicles – broadly those built before 2005 – £10 each time they travel within London’s Congestion Charge Zone, despite historic vehicles being granted exemption from the forthcoming Ultra Low Emissions Zone.
In addition to the T-charge, the new mayor has proposed introducing the Ultra Low Emissions Zone a year earlier than planned in 2019, and extending its borders to the North and South Circulars from 2020.
“Tough challenges call for tough measures,” said Kahn, “so I’m proposing a new £10 charge for the most polluting vehicles in central London from 2017, followed by an even stronger crackdown on vehicles pumping out hazardous pollutants.”
The new T-charge will be added to the existing £11.50 Congestion Charge, leading to affected owners being billed £21.50 to drive through the capital between the hours of 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
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Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC