Under new plans from Mayor Ken Livingston, vehicles causing the most pollution in central London are to face a huge increases in the congestion charge.  Residents will also lose there discounts for vehicles with emissions in band G.

The daily charge for vehicle with emissions which fall in band G cars emitting 225g of CO2 per Km will increase from £8 to £25 in 2009.  This covers many 4x4s and executive vehicles.  From 2008, the charge will be removed for cars in Bands A and B which produce the lowest emissions.

Currently residents who live within the congestion charge zone are eligible for a 90% discount on any vehicle they drive, regardless of its emissions, however under the new proposals this concession will be withdrawn for vehicle in band G.  Cars in band C, D and E will be unaffected and will continue to pay the £8 rate.

Paul Watters, from the AA Motoring Trust, said the new charges would hit a lot of families when the zone is extended westwards in February. "This is another attack on people carriers and larger ordinary vehicles," he said.  Band G sweeps in a lot of family cars such as the two litre Ford Mondeo automatic and the two-litre Citroen C8 automatic, which will mean a lot of households being hit when the charge zone is expanded."

Mr Livingstone said: "Most vehicles that will be charged £25, in vehicle excise duty band G, are high-priced models.  Those who buy them can afford to choose from pretty much the whole of the mainstream car market but have chosen to buy one of the most polluting vehicles. By making these changes to the congestion charging scheme we are encouraging people to take into account the impact of their choice of new car on the environment and the planet."