Drivers in London could soon be charged by the mile for using their car in the capital under plans being drawn up to reduce climate change.
London Mayor Saqid Khan wants a road pricing system to be introduced to encourage people to use public transport, cycle or walk “where necessary”.
But such technology would likely not be ready for a few years, so Mr Khan has asked Transport for London (TfL) to look at other measures that could be introduced sooner.
Possible options that could be implemented before the end of his second term in 2024 include expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which costs £12.50 per day to enter, to cover all of London.
The Ulez charge could also apply to all petrol and diesel cars, rather than just older models, under the proposals.
TfL will also consider charging drivers from outside London for entering the city.
Fully electric and other zero-emission cars - which only make up 2% of cars on London roads - would not be hit with new charges under any of the proposals being looked at.
Mr Khan said he would like to see both the London congestion charge and Ulez replaced with road pricing before 2030 - and warned he is “not willing to put off action”.
“Both schemes are quite blunt and technology has moved on. I want London to be a global leader,” he said.
Mr Khan added: "We have too often seen measures to tackle air pollution and the climate emergency delayed around the world because it’s viewed being too hard or politically inconvenient.”
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Road user charging would be a “simple and fair scheme” to replace existing charges, according to a City Hall report.
But AA president Edmund King has slammed the proposals and said “charging vehicles off the road” is not the solution to cutting pollution.
“We need to encourage the uptake of cleaner, greener vehicles,” he added.
The RAC’s Nicholas Lyes said: “These proposals would create massive financial challenges for individuals, families and businesses who run a car in London.”
Mr Khan and TfL will conduct a public consultation on the proposals and the chosen measure could be implemented by 2024.
Research by Element Energy, who were commissioned by the London Mayor, found that traffic in the capital needs to be reduced by 27% by 2030 to meet net-zero targets.
London faces severe impacts of climate change, with an increase in extremes such as the flash floods last summer which closed hospitals, hit Tube stations and flooded homes and businesses.
