Motorists now have to pay per MILE to drive through London as Sadiq Khan targets cars again

SADIQ Kahn has been accused of targeting motorists in the capital again after conspiring to charge them by the mile.

The mayor of London wants to force motorists using petrol and diesel cars to switch to greener methods “when necessary”.

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He said he was “not ready to act” to meet his climate goals and believes his road pricing plan will do the trick.

Research commissioned by Khan shows London requires a 27% drop in traffic by 2030 to meet its netless ambitions.

A City Hall report also found that toll collection would be “simple and fair” and could replace the existing Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone.

But the move has been criticized by driving groups that believe policies should focus on helping motorists get electric cars, rather than punishing those who can’t afford them.

“We need to encourage the use of cleaner, greener vehicles,” said AA President Edmund King.

RAC’s Nicholas Lyes added: “These proposals will create huge financial challenges for individuals, families and car businesses in London.

“The proposed transport to London is likely to hit hardest for workers such as carers, sales and night workers, who have no alternative means of transport. use of means of transport.”

However, the document says that the technology to charge drivers per mile is still “years away” from being ready.

This is what prompted Khan to consider other policies that could be drafted and implemented in the “next few years”.

One approach is for the Ultra Low Emissions Zone, which costs £12.50 per day to enter, covering the whole of London.

Khan is also considering charging non-London drivers into the city and will conduct public consultations on the proposals with TfL.

He said he was “not willing to wait when there are many things we can do in London that could make a big difference”.

‘Climate EMERGENCY’

Khan added: “Too often we have seen measures to tackle air pollution and the climate emergency delayed around the world because it was deemed too difficult or politically inconvenient. , but I am not willing to give up the action we are capable of taking here in London.”

Consultancy Element Energy has been commissioned by the mayor to devise scenarios to cut London’s carbon footprint to zero.

In the most ambitious scenario, Mr Khan’s preferred choice could require £75bn of investment between now and 2030 in infrastructure and beyond, from public and private sources, according to the market. chief.

Achieving the goal will require 2.2 million heat pumps operating by the end of the decade, more solar panels on the roof, and bringing in the heat grid to heat homes.

Khan has warned that he does not have the funds or powers to provide everything needed and wants more government support.

TfL and the mayor said there would be a public consultation on the proposals, with the chosen measure likely to be implemented by May 2024.