LONDON is going ahead with a public consultation on a proposed ₤25 (S$76) congestion charge for gas guzzlers (the current fee for driving into certain parts of the city is ₤8 per day).

This will affect many luxury sedans, sports cars and large SUVs. But it will also affect some ordinary vehicles which emit more CO2 than they should. In all, it is expected to affect 8 per cent of cars in London.

The Association of British Drivers has criticised the move. It pointed out that private cars contribute only 10 per cent of CO2 emissions in London. So even if all car owners affected by the proposed surcharge stopped using their vehicles, the CO2 cut would be less than 1 per cent.