Leading marques advertise green credentials

Car manufacturers have been falling over themselves to present models which will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Following an announcement from Mayor Ken Livingstone the Congestion Charge would be expanded to charge polluting vehicles when they entered the capital, marques have begun to advertise their green credentials.

The announcement, applicable from 27th October 2008, means Euro 4 cars in vehicle excise duty (VED) Bands A and B up to and including 120 g/km will receive a 100 per cent discount when they travel in around the UK's capital.

Fiat, for example, has suggested drivers employ their Bravo, Grande Punto, Panda and 500 models when driving in London - as all meet the criteria to qualify for the 100 per cent discount.

"Fiat is determined to lead when it comes to environmentally-friendly motoring," said Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK.

"And these new rules enable our customers to save money as well as feel better about our environment."

Any car failing to meet the criteria will have to pay up to £25 to drive in the centre of London.

Renault is also getting involved, claiming to offer 31 models which meet the criteria - including four Clio Campus', four Clio three-doors, four Clio five-doors, two Modus', four Grand Modus', five Megane Sports Hatch and eight Megane Hatches.

The changes have been introduced in an attempt to cut pollution levels in the centre of London, which the Mayor blames for 1,000 deaths a year.

BMW is also claiming to lead the way in the eco-friendly stakes.

All of its vehicles will remain under the £8 barrier, with the charge applied on a sliding scale, while the BMW 118d, the Mini Cooper D and the Mini Clubman D all fall into the new sub 120g/km Congestion Charge free bracket.