Sadiq Khan has ‘no plans at all’ for pay-per-mile and says ULEZ is 'working pretty well'

Sadiq Khan says he has “no plans at all” to introduce a “pay-per-mile” system for drivers if re-elected as mayor of London.

The concept of charging people based on the distance they drive is mentioned in Mr Khan’s 2018 transport strategy, which suggested it could potentially replace existing schemes such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Asked on Tuesday whether he might bring in pay per mile at any point in the future, he told LondonWorld: “I have no plans at all to bring in pay per mile. It's not on the agenda, it’s not on the table.

“In relation to the congestion charge, the ULEZ, the LEZ, I think they’re working pretty well. I’m keen to make sure that we do other things to try and address the issues around zero carbon.

“We want more of our buses to be zero emission capable, more of our taxis to be zero emission capable. We want more Londoners to have access to safe cycling and more walking routes. There are many more things we can do to get to zero carbon.”

City Hall Conservatives have said they do not believe him. 

Deputy leader Emma Best AM said: "From the mayor’s previous comments, it’s clear that he and Transport for London (TfL)  are intending to introduce pay per mile. Whilst Labour and the Liberal Democrats leave the door open to supporting Sadiq Khan with a future scheme, we will be resisting this at every opportunity - just as we have done with the mayor’s ULEZ expansion."

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What is pay-per-mile?

Pay-per-mile road charging is a way for governments to generate revenue from private car owners.

It means drivers pay tax based on how much and how often they drive on public roads. 

People who drive long distances or on a frequent basis will pay more of this tax than drivers who only use their cars occasionally.

The idea was explored by Boris Johnson when he was mayor of London and also by Rishi Sunak when he was chancellor of the exchequer.

Critics of the scheme argue that it disproportionately affects poorer people, carers and people living in rural areas far from public transport. 

What are the current road charging schemes in London?

The road charging schemes currently in place in London include the ULEZ, the Congestion Charge and the Low Emission Zone.

Several bridges, motorways and tunnels also have tolls for use including the Blackwall Tunnel and Dartford crossing.

Other mayoral candidates

Susan Hall, Conservative mayoral candidate, who has vowed to halt the expanded ULEZ daily charge if elected, says she also has no intention to introduce a pay-per-mile scheme.

Green candidate Zoë Garbett said she would consult on introducing a “smarter, fairer road charging system” for drivers, which would replace the congestion charge and ULEZ.

Ms Garbett said that her proposed scheme would charge vehicles based on “distances driven, vehicle emissions, time of day and location”.

Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie said he would keep the ULEZ but would look to “incentivise people to have green behaviours”, including by “encouraging people into electric cars” and making it “easier for people to transition to better vehicles”.