Older vehicles driving in central London are condemned to pay T-Charge when they do not meet the minimum Euro emission standards, Ralitsa Arabadzhieva reports

The T-charge has been introduced as an additional charge to the already existing Congestion Charge for older vehicles travelling within central London. The new charge will come into force in September 2020 and the daily cost will be £10. It will operate on the same days and area as the congestion charge.

This government’s step aims to refine the air quality in central London, especially from the nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and hopes that by doing that it will encourage drivers in the area to stop using older and heavily polluting vehicles.

We asked for the public opinion of those driving in central London, Emma Stinson, 26, said: “I feel it’s a two-sided argument, really. On the one hand it could be really helpful to start cleaning up the pollution, but on the other hand it seems there isn’t a solution for the people who have older cars”.

George Fisher, 31, said: “I think it encourages people to buy a car that will produce fewer emissions even if it’s not immediate”.

The government also plans to introduce new schemes in the fight with air pollution in London, including private hire vehicles, new licensing requirements to reduce emissions by cabs and improvements to the public buses.