How far could low-emission targets go in London?

Lowering the amount of emissions in the capital has been a key priority for London’s mayors, past and present. The current Major of London, Sadiq Khan has announced the long-term ambition for the capital.

Much development has been seen in London in recent years, transport links have become more efficient and there has been an introduction of the low emission zone in 2008. Despite these efforts, pollution levels continue to rise and in the first days of 2017, London breached its annual air pollution limits for the year.

The Mayor of London has publicly expressed his desire to counter the pollution levels that kills nearly 10,000 Londoners prematurely every year.

London’s environmental transport strategy

From September 2020, Sadiq’s planned Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will begin. The ULEZ is an area in central London from which all vehicle types will need to meet exhaust emission standards or pay a daily charge to travel. The new scheme will run alongside the already in place Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone.

Sadiq Khan has now unveiled to make London’s entire transport system zero emission by 2050. Plans will build upon the forthcoming ULEZ. From 2025, central London and town centre will be zero-emission. This will create a zero-emission zone in inner London by 2040 and a London-wide zone by 2050.

Plans also include Tube trains being more reliable, extensions to the Tube, DLR and Overground, electric buses and taxis, new river crossings, and transforming the streets to promote walking and cycling.

Although, well into the future, it’s pleasing to see that there are long-term plans in place to lower emissions in London. To meet plans of a zero-emission London, incentivise will need to be made to increase the uptake of electric vehicles and an appropriate charging and refuelling infrastructure will need to be implemented.

Low-emission car rental in London

Green Motion has a number of branches in London, covering the main transport links. We have a branch at all of the airports in London: Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow, London Luton and London City. As well as these, we have a branch that is accessible from St Pancras and Kings Cross.

If you’re visiting London on holiday or on business and want to get from place to place in an environmentally friendly manner, get in touch with Green Motion.

As experts in low-emission rental, we have a fleet of electric and hybrid cars with staff who can help you select the right vehicle. For more information, call us today on 0333 888 4000.