'Motorists are cash cows!' Now Sadiq Khan plans to whack taxes on zero emission cars
Transport Secretary Mark Harper says Labour will use motorists as 'cash cows' as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan presses ahead with new plans.
Sadiq Khan has been accused of using motorists as "cash cows" after it emerged the Mayor of London is to extend the capital's congestion charge to all zero-emission vehicles in 2025. From Christmas Day next year the £15 per day tax on motoring will include battery powered electric vehicles (EVs).
Transport Secretary Mark Harper slammed the move, telling the Telegraph: "Taxing cars even if they’re zero emission shows Labour’s plan to use motorists as cash cows.
"If they get into government there will be worse to come, with pay-by-mile taxes and fuel duty hikes to help close their £2,000 tax black hole."
Transport for London (TfL), which is chaired by Mr Khan, has confirmed it will pursue plans to remove an exemption which allows battery-powered vehicle owners to drive in the city without paying the charge.
Mr Khan's office and TfL have been approached for comment.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy at the AA said: "The London Mayor’s decision to force EV drivers to pay the congestion charge from December 25, 2025 onwards may be a Christmas present for him.
"However, it is a turkey bone in the throat of EV owners who heeded his call to switch to green vehicles and improve air quality in the capital.
"The key question is: has this decision come about because he hasn’t made as much money as he thought from the ULEZ expansion?"
Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC, said: "This is a somewhat inevitable step as the journey towards zero-emission motoring has progressed considerably since the congestion charge was first introduced, with more than a million electric vehicles now on our roads.
"It was put in place to reduce the number of vehicles using central London roads with a view to improving both air quality and traffic flow.
Don't miss...
Jay Slater's mum releases 'agonising' statement and gives search update [LATEST]
Industrial estate erupts into flames as firefighters scramble to scene [REPORT]
Labour's horror plot to 'redistribute' your inheritance tax leaked [REVEALED]
"And, now we have the ULEZ directly tackling air quality, it’s probably only fair this discount comes to an end as all vehicles, regardless of how they are powered, can create congestion."
A spokesman for TfL said the congestion charge’s cleaner vehicle discount was part of a phased scheme to tackle London’s toxic air.
He added: "Ending the cleaner vehicle discount from December 25, 2025, will maintain the effectiveness of the congestion charge, which is in place to manage traffic and congestion in the heart of London."
TfL's spokesman said the introduction of the London-wide ULEZ has resulted in dramatic improvements in air quality and more than 52,000 grants have been approved for Londoners, businesses and charities to switch to cleaner vehicles.
He added that 70,000 fewer non-compliant vehicles are now seen driving on London’s roads.