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I've got a better idea. Make a rule that all new taxis in London must be electric or range-extender hybrids capable of running on batteries for most of the time).
I would be unlikely to return to petrol cars after having diesels for the last 10 years. I've got used to the much better fuel economy, greater reliabilty and more relaxed driving.
Since I can't afford a Tesla Model S or VW e-Golf, I think I'll stay with diesels for the time being.
Edited by Sofa Spud on 29/07/2014 at 14:10
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Its not justTaxis they are worried about its all traffic thats diesel engined/older petrol,
the idea is everytime the euro limit gets lower, TFL lower theirs and increase price that way diesels will never get into london without paying a hefty price
Even some older petrols will have to pay more if they are not within limits
Edited by magnit on 29/07/2014 at 14:13
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But in central London, taxis form a large proportion of the traffic and so going over to electrically driven taxis would make a significant difference to localised pollution.
The new Borismaster LT type buses are electrically driven with an auxiliary diesel powered generator and they spend a large proportion of their time running almost silently.
If that can be done with city buses, it can also be done with taxis, and local delivery vehicles too like Royal Mail - not overnight, but over a period of time given the political will.
Edited by Sofa Spud on 29/07/2014 at 14:21
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Considering I never go to London, and probably wouldn't take my diesel car if I did, no it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
If anything, it could be time to pick up a bargain from London and enjoy it in the rest of the country.
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I agree there - when I go to London I always use public transport. I try to do the same if I visit other large cities too.
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I think eventually all electric is all that will be allowed into london, but I doubt even then the pollution levels will drop as much as they want,one reason why charge is being increased
But I expect congestion charge area to get bigger as their greed for money gets bigger, knowing drivers have no choice but to pay it!
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they have gotten used to the income raised by the CG but as is the nature of these things they find it is no longer sufficient to meet the insatiable needs of the governing body - so what do they do - ahh find another way to raise more money. of course when they have priced all the older diesels off the road the goalposts will need to be moved and, eventually, they will find that electric vehicles create -congestion/pollution/are killing too many people due to their silent nature/whatever, and so will need to be taxed.
Unless strictly controlled government, whether national or local, needs more and more resources to do more and more of what they feel is required 'for the good of the populace'
Cynical me? - certainly!
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Some interesting points made about fuel types. Unfortunately I have to agree with AlastairM. I truly believe that government in any form does not give a tinkers cuss about the green issue with traffic. They only care about the income and this is simply a money generating exercise. They purport to be against traffic pollution, but only for our benefit of course, so they tax the 'offenders'. I wish we could give them a real shock and either abandon or severely restrict our use of cars for as long as it takes to shock them. That would starve them of income and I would bet my house they would either cave in on charges or find another form of tax. Probably based on car ownership so it wouldn't matter if you used the vehicle or not. Oh no!! I hope Boris isn't on the forum!!!!!
Cheers Concrete
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Concrete, altho I see where you are coming from, I don't think you can heap all the blame on 'government' for money grabbing. Everyone demands public services (expecting them to be provided) and we all know the NHS can't be afforded, never mind all the other things. Many people will go on avoiding as much taxation as they can, so I'm afraid we have to pay where it can't be avoided so easily. Move out of London if you can't stand the heat.
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I have a brand new Euro 5 diesel, its hardly old. But it will get charged as the only excemption is for Euro 6.
Nonsense way to run a country.
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Ironically, many of Boris Johnson's ideas could have been dreamt up by Ken Livingstone.
Not that they're bad ideas - as long as the money is re-invested in better public transport and facilities for pedestrians abd cyclists.
Edited by Sofa Spud on 29/07/2014 at 17:20
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Ironically, many of Boris Johnson's ideas could have been dreamt up by Ken Livingstone.
Not that they're bad ideas - as long as the money is re-invested in better public transport and facilities for pedestrians abd cyclists.
He claims it is,joe public are moaning about it, ie not enough room, too hot, and dirty even the air is polluted down there.
Plenty of cycles as well, which they are promoting, but even they are being charged for their use,win win for Boris
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Oh good, another reason not to ever visit the dump, the only time i go near the place is when i'm paid to drive a lorry there.
The only pleasure of the place now is the start of the M1 at Staples Corner on the way home, pity, even 20 years ago i used to enjoy my almost daily ventures there.
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Oh good, another reason not to ever visit the dump, the only time i go near the place is when i'm paid to drive a lorry there.
The only pleasure of the place now is the start of the M1 at Staples Corner on the way home, pity, even 20 years ago i used to enjoy my almost daily ventures there.
I live just outside London but do my utmost to keep away,I hate the place.
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... Heh - I'm absolutely with you re: getting back to the start of the M1 GB!
I used to do some occasional exhibition collections for a buddy from BDC in Liverpool Rd, Islington.
The relief felt when hitting that stretch of d/carriageway just after Henly's Corner on the return leg was measurable after painfully inching up the Holloway Rd via Archway, etc.
I really didn't mind if I got caught in northbound motorway jams after that - quite bearable after dipping into NWwhateveritis?
I can just about handle occasional early Sunday morning drives down to Kenwood these days - until they start charging a Tenner to visit there, etc. ...
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I visit London twice a year. Once on busuness when I take the train or drive to High Barnet and take the tube. Once in November with my wife, we take the train and booking early can get 2 return tickets from Lincoln to Kings Cross for £40, no brainer.
As for cleaning up London by trying to get electric vehicles only, until we generate most of our electricity by Nuclear, Hydro, Wind or Solar, all that will happen is London's air will become cleaner at the expense of more pollution at the power stations.
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...in Laaarnden's defence I have to say how much I'm enjoying those programmes about the construction of CrossRail.
Maybe that's the answer to all of this pollution - construct CrossRails 2-Infinity to ensure all vehicle movements are underground?
It could happen...
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...in Laaarnden's defence I have to say how much I'm enjoying those programmes about the construction of CrossRail. Maybe that's the answer to all of this pollution - construct CrossRails 2-Infinity to ensure all vehicle movements are underground? It could happen...
Any more tunnels and pipes under London and there won't be any clay left :)
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Make Boris island down the thames estuary, stick an airport on it and businesses from London, problem solved.
Be handy for Ford as well. that will get the greens going :-)
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.... London's air will become cleaner at the expense of more pollution at the power stations.
... which aren't quite in London, are they? So it's just a way to export the pollution that Londoners create by being there :-)
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