For the past few years, those driving in London have had to pay the Congestion Charge if they wish to drive through the central parts of the city.
For the past few years, those driving in London have had to pay the Congestion Charge if they wish to drive through the central parts of the city.
And as Transport for London notes such a levy "aims to reduce traffic congestion and make journeys quicker", motorists going in and out of the capital on a regular basis could find such costs soon add up. Those who opt to pay this by midnight on the day they pass through the charge zone will have to shell out £8, although this rises to £10 if payments are made by midnight the following charging day.
Although there are various ways drivers can reduce the financial impact of the charge - such as paying in advance - opting to purchase a green car could see them avoid having to making such payments altogether.
With the cost of an annual purchase charge currently standing at £1,696, paying out for a green car could allow drivers to make significant savings in the long run.
Those looking to purchase a green car in order to avoid the Congestion Charge may also want to bear in mind that the initiative is currently in force between 07:00 and 18:00 GMT Monday to Friday, with the exception of public holidays.
Eco-friendly vehicles come in a variety of guises - and although those which run on petrol and diesel and have a low carbon emissions rate can be considered by many to be green, these motors will still have to pay out when it comes to entering the Congestion Charge zone.
So what vehicles will allow you to drive in fee-charging areas for free?
Well, autos which run on alternative fuels - such as compressed natural gas, biodiesel and bio ethanol - are not privy to such a levy. Indeed, those keen on getting a green car with this specific purpose in mind could be interested in reports from the GreenCarSite that the Volvo V70 CNG, Saab 9-3 and Ford C-MAX FFV are among those alt-fuel cars which do not have to pay the charge.
In addition, hybrid cars are exempt, with the publication noting that the Toyota Prius and hybrid models of the Honda Civic among such vehicles. Consumers may also want to consider converting a petrol or diesel-running car - whether an existing one or a specific model they are keen to buy - to run on liquefied petroleum gas.
However, to ensure they are able to harness the benefits of getting a green car with regards to qualifying for a Congestion Charge discount or exemption, drivers will have to submit an Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion certificate to prove their eligibly. Such documents can either be obtained from the car manufacturer or the company which carried out the conversion, before they are completed and sent to Transport for London for processing.
There are other benefits to green cars - indeed, they are often cheaper to run than less energy-efficient models - but by not having to pay the Congestion Charge, seeking out such models means London drivers could quickly find the day-to-day costs of running a vehicle falls even further.
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