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London Replaces Alternative Fuel Discount (AFD)

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has confirmed that the London congestion charge alternative fuel discount (AFD) will be discontinued, replaced by the greener vehicle discount (GVD). The AFD provides a 100 per cent discount to some vehicles powered by alternative fuels, including lpg autogas.

Transport for London (TfL) has said that some benefits of the alternative fuels have been outpaced by technological developments in other vehicles. This means some new vehicles that do not qualify for the alternative fuel discount have better environmental performance than some vehicles that do qualify.

The new GVD will provide a 100 per cent discount to cars that emit 100g/km of CO2 or less and meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality. TfL says it will monitor developments in the market and keep discount criteria under review, with the intention of reducing the discount levels to 80g/km following a review of exemption criteria in 2012.

Lisa Thomson, communications manager at UKLPG, said: “We are disappointed that there is nothing specific for light commercial vehicles included. However, based on the responses from the Mayor, UKLPG also thinks that the announcement offers an opportunity for us to re-approach our contacts, to scrutinise the decision and put pressure on the Mayor, especially as the Mayor’s air quality strategy is still being discussed within the GLA.”

The AFD will be closed to new registrations on December 24 2010, but vehicles registered with TfL before that date will continue to receive a 100 per cent discount for two years.

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