25,000 more cars in central London?

• Congestion charge could clog roads
• 80,000 low-emission cars near charging zone
• Changes could prompt more people to drive

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25,000 London-registered cars could be allowed to enter the congestion charge zone for free if new proposals from Transport for London are passed.

Cars that emit less than 120g/km of carbon dioxide will be allowed to enter the zone for free, while those that emit 226g/km or more will have to pay £25 per day. All other vehicles will pay £8.

However, the plan has come in for heavy criticism because of fears that it will increase congestion by allowing thousands of lower-emission vehicles to enter the zone free of charge.

London's Evening Standard newspaper has reported that 25,000 London-registered cars fall below the 120g/km carbon dioxide limit, while there are 80,000 in total in the south-east that fall under the band.

The newspaper also reports that when the congestion charge zone was moved west into Kensington and Chelsea in February 2007, traffic speeds fell.

This was because more cars took to the road as motorists were able to take advantage of the 90% residents' discount.