London to introduce ‘toughest emission standard’

London, Feb 18 (IANS) London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the toughest emission standard of any world city will start in London on October 23 this year, to curb pollution.

The T-charge, also known as the Emissions Surcharge, will operate on top of, and during the same operating times, as the Congestion Charge (Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), so it will cost 21.50 pounds ($26.7) to drive a pre-Euro 4 vehicle in the zone, Xinhua news agency reported.

Euro 4 standards are typically diesel and petrol vehicles registered before 2006, according to a press release from the mayor's office on Friday.

Up to 10,000 of the oldest, most polluting vehicles are expected every weekday to be potentially liable for the new emissions levy, which will apply to motorists who own vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 standards.

The T-Charge will use a camera-based mechanism for enforcement, monitoring both diesel and petrol vehicles.

"The T-Charge is a vital step in tackling the dirtiest diesels before I introduce the world's first ultra low emission zone as early as 2019," said Sadiq Khan.

Currently over 9,000 Londoners die prematurely each year as a result of long-term exposure to air pollution, while 438 schools in the capital are in areas exceeding legal air quality levels, according to officials.

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