We now have a new magic number in fleet and it’s 120.
It refers to the CO2 output in g/km that cars will have to meet or beat to go congestion-charging free in London, under new proposals set out by Mayor Ken Livingstone.
The good news for business car managers and drivers is that by the time the new regs come into force there will be a host of ‘normal’ company cars on sale that meet this target.
“If you think we’ve gone a little over the top on this London-based issue, just stop and think. The capital scheme is likely to act as pioneer both for the forthcoming city charges in places like Bristol and Manchester, and eventually for the nationwide scheme the Government is plotting.” |
Tristan Young |
BMW is saying it will make sure those cars very close to, but the wrong side of the 120g/km cut-off, will be tweaked to go free, such as the 318d. Peugeot is launching its 308 with a tax-beating 1.6 diesel and VW has this week revealed its Golf Bluemotion, which comes in below the magic number. If you want to find a car under 121g/km then check out BusinessCar‘s new online tool that enables you to search and list all cars with a CO2 output of less than that amount Just click on businesscar.co.uk/120gkm.
And if you think we’ve gone a little over the top on this London-based issue, just stop and think. The capital scheme is likely to act as pioneer both for the forthcoming city charges in places like Bristol and Manchester, and eventually for the nationwide scheme the Government is plotting.
P.S. Another point to all this is that TfL seems confused about the ‘magic number’. The consultation document refers to ‘120g/km or less’, while the press information sent to BusinessCar says ‘less than 120g/km’. A small but important difference.