Cooper D exempt from London congestion charge

[appmacguy]

Autocar has a news article on the congestion charge coming in Octber 2008.

A 100 per cent discount to the charge for cars than emit less than 120g/km of CO2, and are EuroIV-emissions compliant. That means owners of the likes of the Mini Cooper D, VW Polo Bluemotion and Ford Fiesta TDCi, as well, as those of the Toyota Prius and Smart Fortwo, will be able to drive through London for free.

Autocar - £25-a-day London congestion charge is go

[KenL]

Excellent news.

Perhaps MINI will put the price of the D up, as Londoners will buy even more MINIs now!

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I'm pleased to hear it, but I do find it funny that a charge supposedly intended to "reduce congestion" is now being used to give free access to the "congestion zone" for low CO2 emission cars. I don't quite understand how low CO2 emission cars produce less congestion than high emission cars. A 109 g/km Cooper D is actually longer than my old model 207g/km MCS....

Is this what is meant by "mission creep" ?

Tigger.

PS: This is all slightly achedemic, as I never intend to drive in central London ever again!

[minicabrio]

It's no longer a congestion charge..... it's a farce.

[KenL]

The reason congestion was/is a problem is that cars are sitting pumping out a lot of emissions. The charge was probably given the wrong name in the first place.

If this leads to more people buying "cleaner" cars rather than large polluting vehicles, surely this is a good thing, whatever they call it?

[The Red Baron]

Will this really make any difference to the CO2 levels within the London area, seeing as cars aren't the only source of this pollutant!

[femstar]

If I'm not mistaken from Oct 2008 cars such as the Dooper will be free from the Ken's Congestion Charge, love my JCW S but - wow Dooper Clubman may be the way to go on update.

Don't often drive into the zone, but on occasion where I am going that way it often works out cheaper to drive than purchasing x2 TravelCards.

Well Done BMW!

[Goonery]

I've looked into this, the Dooper and 118D are in Band 2, but you have to pre register and guess what there is a fee

[appmacguy]

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisandjax (original)

Will this really make any difference to the CO2 levels within the London area, seeing as cars aren't the only source of this pollutant!

It's worth a go, surely we need to try and improve the air quality and lower CO2 emissions if the scientists are to be listened to.

x100 104g/km CO2 cars are going to be better than x100 200g/km CO2 cars in the capital surely. Hopefully this will get some of the 4x4's off the road in the capital BUT on the other hand maybe it's just another way of making money from those who can afford to buy and run 4x4's in London.

[Fin]

And there is the planned increase in fuel duty after April. Not looking good for the motorist.

[mab01uk]

MINI Cooper D emissions are 104 g/km CO2 and only £35 annual road tax.

Those vehicles getting a 100% discount from the London Congestion charge will emit less than 120g/km.

The £25 daily charge will apply to vehicles emitting more than 225 grams of CO2/km (g/km), as well as those registered before March 2001 which have engines larger than 3,000cc

[Fin]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

MINI Cooper D emissions are 104 g/km CO2

Those vehicles getting a 100% discount from the London Congestion charge will emit less than 120g/km.

The £25 daily charge will apply to vehicles emitting more than 225 grams of CO2/km (g/km), as well as those registered before March 2001 which have engines larger than 3,000cc

The GP is safe then Goonery.

[appmacguy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

MINI Cooper D emissions are 104 g/km CO2 and only £35 annual road tax.

Those vehicles getting a 100% discount from the London Congestion charge will emit less than 120g/km.

The £25 daily charge will apply to vehicles emitting more than 225 grams of CO2/km (g/km), as well as those registered before March 2001 which have engines larger than 3,000cc

There is a charge of £8 for cars between 120g/km CO2 and the 225g/km CO2 as I understand it. A big saving, so if you can get a 4x4 under the 225g CO2 then I suppose that's a way around it. More bands are needed to stop people using that.

[JP1611]

it's not technically free in the Cooper D, you do have to register your vehicle with TFL first which is £10 per year, otherwise you are liable for the charge of £8 per day.

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

The GP is safe then Goonery.

Very safe, perfect city handling, fast 0-20 times, gets more looks than many so called supercars and is averaging 33mpg on Excellium