5:40 am, January 4, 2011
THREE new vehicles can now enter London’s congestion charge zone free of charge it has been announced today.
With CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, Citroën’s DS3 DStyle 99g and C3 Airdream+ already qualify for free VED, and are now eligible for the new greener vehicle 100 per cent discount (GVD) – potentially saving London drivers up to £2,500 per year.
Owners of qualifying cars, including DS3 and New C3 99g models, are required to register their vehicles under the GVD scheme to benefit from the 100 per cent discount.
Citroen UK’s managing director, Linda Jackson, said: ‘This change further highlights the importance of driving cleaner, greener cars in urban environments.
‘The two Citroën models now exempt from the congestion charge demonstrate that a greener choice does not mean compromising on style, comfort or driving pleasure.’
Both GVD qualifying Citroën models achieve combined cycle fuel economy of 74.3mpg and also qualify for free VED, potentially providing further annual savings.
Meanwhile Mitsubishi has also announced that its i-MiEV fully electric car is also exempt from London’s congestion charge, and is entitled to free parking in some London Boroughs and cities such as Milton Keynes.
CAP have predicted the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will retain 43 per cent of its on the road price after the £5k government incentive and after three years and 30,000 miles.
Company car drivers will also be pleased to hear that the i-MiEV is not subject to Benefit-In-Kind tax. Furthermore, businesses will benefit as they can write-down the vehicles full value in the first 12 months.
