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The Italians got 2008 off to a potentially speedier start because just as the last fireworks died away on New Years Day a new congestion zone started in Milan...
The Italians got 2008 off to a potentially speedier start because just as the last fireworks died away on New Years Day a new congestion zone started in Milan. Motorists are charged between £1.50-£7.50 per day to enter the area known as Cerchia dei Bastioni. The 43 entry points to this area are monitored by cameras which will result in drivers facing a fine of around £52.00 if they don't pay. Similar to the London congestion charge motorists can pay over the internet, or by buying tickets from various outlets or vending machines.
So why should this be of interest to Business Car readers. Well we all know that there may well be a change with the London Congestion Charge on the 4th February as Transport for London are contemplating charging drivers by tailpipe CO2 emissions rather than a flat fee. This may make cars which emit 120g/km CO2 or lower exempt from the charge. In comparison Milan has exempted vehicles running on methane or liquefied petroleum gas, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles. In addition petrol-fuelled Euro III, and IV rated cars and goods vehicles, and diesel-fuelled Euro IV rated cars and goods vehicles fitted with anti-particulate filters are also allowed in at no cost. This is quite a bold list of exclusions and it will be interesting to see how successful the charge is at meetings its ambitions of reducing traffic and pollution.
The inclusion of Euro IV diesel vehicles on the exemption list would be of great benefit to the average fleet driver in the UK. However don't get too excited because as rumours go it seems Transport for London might even lower the 120g/km figure mentioned above as too many manufacturers have produced vehicles that undercut it and the financial loss / traffic increase could be too much.
Anyway if I can quote the Mayor of Milan Letizia Morati when she was talking about teething problems of the new system she said "things that help improve the standard of living cannot be sorted out overnight". I can't see that approach working very well here in the UK!
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