So where will it end?

The congestion charge is going up to £25 for most the polluting cars:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7240309.stm

I can't help thinking that using the term "gas-guzzling Chelsea
tractor" makes Ken sound as though he's doing this more out of
prejudice than anything else. If he isn't and wnats to be taken
seriously then he should not use such emotive terms.

I was pro the CC in its original form and I'm generally against the
school-run only 4x4s but I think this is starting to go too far.

"First they came for the 4x4 drivers but I never spoke up as I didn't
drive a 4x4"

 

What a surprise, the guy's a **** and the public are too thick / drunk[1] to
notice / protest[1].

"Voting is like, so boring, they never do it in Friends / The O.C.[1]..."

Luckily I don't often drive in Central London, that's why I have a motorcycle.
Although it's only a matter of time before we get fucked as well. The
incentive to achieve things in life goes down by the year as Nanny chews us up
and spits us out.

[1] Delete as applicable.

 

"The £25 charge will apply to vehicles emitting more than 225 grams of
CO2 per kilometre (g/k), as well as those registered before March 2001
which have engines larger than 3,000cc"

My V5C incorrectly states the engine capacity as 9999cc on the old banger.
ISTR that you can get the DVLA to increase the recorded capacity but not
reduce it.
If so, I'm screwed.

 

it's such bollocks, anyway. There's no intrinsic reason why a vehicle
with 4WD is more polluting than one with 2WD. Sure, some 4WDs have
large engines, but so do some non 4WDs. As you say, it's pointlessly
emotive language.

but why do you think that 4x4s are worse for the school run than any
other car?

 

Only a twat would start a manufacturing business inside Central London so
WGAF.

How on earth are they going to do this though. Does the DVLC vehicle reg
database record the CO2 level of each vehicle.
How can a person be sure which band their vehicle sits in.
Suppose you have an LPG conversion. It's lunacy.
Several people here have voiced their support of Ken, as he has targeted my
car I'd like him to FOAD.

 

why the "as well as"? Our Jeep has an engine larger than 3,000cc, and
was registered in 1999, but puts out way less than 225 grams of CO2
per kilometre.

 

The charge is based on CO2 emissions, so a high polluting 2WD will be
charged and a low polluting 4x4 won't. Hence Ken's use of "Chelsea
tractors" being wide of the mark.

Prejudice.

 

Hmm C2S
270g/km

****.

 

well, unless the "low polluting 4x4" has an engine size >3l and was
registered earlier than March 2001.

at least you have the balls to admit it.

 

actually, strike that, it puts out "way more" than 225 ;-)

 

as per my other post, I was reading the wrong figures, the jeep
actually puts out 353g/km. But I don't actually do many kms in the
thing.

well, yes.

 

I have no strong objection to the CC as a means of reducing congestion
but dressing it up as a means of reducing CO2 emissions sounds like a
load of old bollocks to me. Making homes and businesses more thermally
efficient wold have a far greater impact if you ask me.

The motive for the charge does seem driven by envy IMO.

 

Who gives a shit? Anyone who wants to drive into London is a loon as
far as I'm concerned.

 

Yes, it does for newer stuff. I got my tax reminder yesterday and it
states the CO2 emission band on it in the "engine size" field.

 

Try telling that to customer-support engineers (like wot I have) who
have to support sites in London.

Sure - they can take the train/tube (and sometimes do) but you try
taking a server weighing 40kg on the tube..

Phil.

 

Being towed doesn't count.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"A scone and tea at half past three
Makes the day a little brighter
Keep your cakes and fancy tarts
And stick them up your shiter."

 

You have a vehicle that puts out more CO2 then mine? I think you must die.
OTOH you are getting rid of it.

 

No - all the CC charges are paid by the company. And they/we don't have
a problem - I was responding to Ben about 'anyone who wants to drive in
London is a loon' by pointing out that (for some people) it's part of
their job..

Phil.

 

I regularly have to go to London for work. I travel by train.

That's business. My comment, like the illustrious Lord Mayor, is
aimed at private motorists.

But frankly, I don't give a shit about London either.

 

How do you find that out?