[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/t-charge-divides-opinion-emission-control-marches\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/t-charge-divides-opinion-emission-control-marches\/","headline":"T-Charge Divides Opinion","name":"T-Charge Divides Opinion","description":"As with all seemingly good intention from a new law or ruling, there are always opposing views – and the new T-Charge, which came into force in London on 23 October 2017 is no exception to that. The charge has been brought in to try to reduce pollution in London. Owners of older, more polluting vehicles wishing to drive into London will now face a \u00a310 charge; a charge that is meant to discourage such drivers and make them consider […]","datePublished":"2017-10-24","dateModified":"2017-10-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/t-charge-london-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/t-charge-london-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/t-charge-divides-opinion-emission-control-marches\/","about":["LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":539,"keywords":["air pollution","emissions","london","London T charge"],"articleBody":"As with all seemingly good intention from a new law or ruling, there are always opposing views – and the new T-Charge, which came into force in London on 23 October 2017 is no exception to that. The charge has been brought in to try to reduce pollution in London. Owners of older, more polluting vehicles wishing to drive into London will now face a \u00a310 charge; a charge that is meant to discourage such drivers and make them consider using alternative transport options \u2013 or buy a new car.The Congestion Charge zone, which has been operating since 2003, currently charges drivers \u00a311.50 to drive into central London. The area reaches from Marylebone in the north of the zone to Newington and Lambeth in the south and from Mayfair in the west to the edge of Spitalfields in the east.From October 23 for those drivers susceptible to the new T-Charge, their daily incursion will rise to \u00a321.50 \u2013 that\u2019s \u00a3107.50 for a working week, and it is estimated that 34,000 motorists will be affected by the new charge.While the intention to reduce emissions is laudable, one of the arguments against the charge is that this will inevitable penalise poorer drivers who may not be in a position to change their cars. Of course, the counter argument is that drivers have had \u2018plenty of time\u2019 and they were forewarned that the charge was coming.Shaun Bailey, London Assembly member, has accused Sadiq Khan\u2019s tax of being an attack on small businesses as well as the capital\u2019s poorest drivers. He suggests that the T-Charge will only reduce NOx emissions by around 1-3% along with small businesses having to pay around \u00a32,300 per annum.The T-Charge requires cars to meet the current Euro 4 standards for emissions of NOx (nitrogen oxides) and PM (Particulate Matter). Already described as the world\u2019s toughest emission standard, the charge is likely to be a mere forerunner before the introduction of the ULEZ – Ultra-Low Emission Zone \u2013 in 2019.It\u2019s not just older cars that will be penalised; classic car daily drivers will be hit too, as the charge will effectively \u2018pass\u2019 cars built after 2005 and hit those built before 2005. Interestingly, while there appears to be no exemption from the T-Charge for historic vehicles, as it currently stands they are likely to be exempt from the ULEZ.The T-Charge will inevitable penalise drivers of older diesel vehicles as well – and of course it was only a few years ago that diesel was being pushed by certain bodies as the way forward, encouraging drivers to change from petrol to diesel. Put simply, if you do long hauls on the motorway then diesel may be right for you; if you drive into big cities or make small journeys then it is not and you were ill-advised.London isn\u2019t the only big city crusading on this though; Paris has spoken of its intention to ban the combustion engine entirely by 2030, with a full diesel ban by 2024. Currently Paris bans vehicles registered before 2000 from its streets and along with this, Paris has also removed free parking on Saturdays. The authorities also tried an ill-conceived \u2018free public transport\u2019 policy within the city, until it was noted that it was costing 4 million euros a day: well, who would have thought?"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"T-Charge Divides Opinion","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/t-charge-divides-opinion-emission-control-marches\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]