The mayor of London has been welcomed by Volvo today, to discuss the existing Congestion Charge exemption for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, as Volvo believes that the method of discounting is now outmoded as many contemporary conventionally-engined cars release less CO2 than most hybrids.

Volvo has raised a question, in congestion charge what place an emissions discount had but, if a discount should exist, called for fairness in any scheme so that it didn't bias one particular technology over another.

The Mayor's new `Greener Vehicle Discount' proposal says that any car registered after 1 January 2011 that emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and meet the Euro V standard for air quality will be exempt and the same exemption will apply to full battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars, as a way of encouraging the electric cars.

Transport for London is welcoming feedback on the new proposals until 2 August 2010 via the TfL website. Once a resolution has been made, the outcome will be published, with any modifications taking effect from
4th January 2011. "On behalf of all manufacturers of conventionally-powered low emission cars, all we asked The Mayor for was a level playing field. I'm very pleased that this consultation has been launched and the proposals could give Londoners a far broader choice of low-emission cars in the future," said, Peter Rask, Management Director of U. K's Volvo car.