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London T-Charge: Everything you need to know about Sadiq Khan's £10 payment to tackle pollution

Sadiq Khan’s £10 weekday T-Charge will come into play on Monday in a bid to cut levels of toxic air in central London.

The new charge will affect 10,000 motorists in the capital each day after it emerged 9,000 Londoners a year die prematurely due to long-term toxic air exposure.

The YouGov poll published ahead of the launch showed of 1,053 adults found 74 per cent strongly or tended to support the T-Charge.

But, which vehicles will be affected and what happens if drivers don’t pay up?

What is T-Charge?

T-Charge is a £10 emissions surcharge paid in addition to the Congestion Charge for vehicles travelling through central London.

It has been introduced in a bid to cut London’s toxic air pollution levels which currently exceed the World Health Organisation’s limit for PM2.5 particles.

How much is it?

T-Charge will cost £10 on top of congestion charge. The most a driver will pay will be £21.50.

Drivers will pay on top of the Congestion Charge (TfL)
Drivers will pay on top of the Congestion Charge (TfL)

Where is the T-Charge zone?

The T-Charge will be in effect in the same areas in central London as the Congestion Charge.

When is the charge active?

Drivers will be forced to pay the charge between 7am and 6pm Monday – Friday from Monday, October 23.

This excludes Bank Holidays and the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day inclusive.

Who will be affected?

Petrol and diesel vehicles that breach the Euro IV emissions standards - generally those built before 2006 - will have to pay an extra £10 to enter the congestion charge zone on top of the £11.50 standard charge.

These include cars, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs.

Motorised caravans and horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles, private ambulances, motor hearses and dual purpose vehicles will also be affected.

Motorised tricycles and quadricycles that are subject to the Congestion Charge are also affected. Motorcycles are not subject to the T-Charge.

Nine or more seater vehicles that are currently registered for a discount or are exempt from paying the charge will need to meet the required emissions standards or pay the T-Charge.

Taxis and private hire vehicles that are not actively licensed with TfL have to pay both the Congestion Charge and also the T-Charge if they do not meet the required emission standards.

Who is exempt?

Emergency vehicles, taxis and mini-cabs registered with TfL and recovery vehicles are exempt from the charge.

Residents living within the charge zone and blue badge holders are entitled to discount. To apply click here.

Vehicles that are parked all day, in an on-street parking bay and displaying a valid resident's parking permit, will not be charged for that day.

How do I know if I’m affected?

Drivers can check if their vehicle is affected by using TfL’s online checker tool.

How do I pay?

The T-Charge will use the same payment and operational systems as the Congestion Charge.

From 23 October 2017 TfL bosses will identify vehicles subject to the T-Charge and the driver will pay for both the Congestion Charge and the T-Charge in the same transaction.

Existing Congestion Charge Autopay customers will be automatically charged from 23 October 2017.

What happens if drivers don’t pay?

Anyone registered or operating a vehicle in the zone who doesn’t pay will be hit with a £130 Penalty Notice. The fine will be reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days.