UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS claim that the London Congestion Charge, introduced in 2003, has actually led to higher levels of diesel pollution in the capital.
Combustion engine expert professor John Heywood said: “Exempting buses and taxis meant these diesel vehicles drove many more miles as commuters transferred out of personal cars into these forms of public transport.
“As a consequence, the fuel mix of vehicles in the zone moved towards diesel and the reduction in other pollutants has to be weighed against the negative effects associated with a marked increase in NO2 emissions.”