As Congestion Zone Expands West, London Prius Sales More Than Double
15 February 2007
With the central London congestion charge zone extending west to take in an even greater slice of the capital next week (earlier post), sales of the Prius—which is exempt from the daily £8 charge—in London jumped up 135% in January from the year prior.
Other London boroughs and authorities in other parts of the UK are also queuing up to follow Richmond council’s lead and raise parking permit charges in line with vehicles’ CO2 output. In Richmond’s case, this means a Prius owner pays six times less to park than the owners of vehicles in the top band. (Earlier post.)
Toyota Centres in London have reported exceptional demand, helping push January’s Prius sales up by 135% compared to the same month last year. This sustains a momentum that has pushed full year figures up by more than a third in 2006 to a new record of 5,017 units in the UK, up from 3,745 units sold in 2005.
Here is another demonstration that hitting or favouring the pocket book is one of the quickest (and easiest) way to change drivers acquired attitudes.
A well advertised progressive fossil liquid fuel tax could replace current subsidies (for Hybrids + PHEVs + BEVs and alternative fuels) and bring new revenues instead of more expeditures for countries with huge budget deficits such as USA, Japan etc.
A progressive 2 to 3 cents/month/gallon gas tax, apllicable for the next 10 years, would change the efficiency of future GM + Ford + Chrysler products. This new tax could level off (stop progressing) when personnal vehicles efficiency have reached 50 or 60 mpg.
Of course, all the new revenues should be placed in a special 'eco-fund' and be returned to tax payers via national debt re-payment, lower income taxes, improved roads, R & D on new batteries and alternative fuels, short term incentives for Hybrids + PHEVs + BEVs buyers.
Posted by: Harvey D. | 16 February 2007 at 08:27 AM
great news , just imagine the sales and money a large car manufactuer could make in a market like this with a high quality reasonably priced BEV. these sort of resrictions should be rolled out to every major city in europe, its the only way stimulate sales in eco cars , hit people in the pocket big time ,pity Ken livingston is about the only politicien with the balls to do it !
Posted by: andrichrose | 16 February 2007 at 08:49 AM
great news , just imagine the sales and money a large car manufactuer could make in a market like this with a high quality reasonably priced BEV. these sort of resrictions should be rolled out to every major city in europe, its the only way stimulate sales in eco cars , hit people in the pocket big time ,pity Ken livingston is about the only politicien with the balls to do it !
Posted by: andrichrose | 16 February 2007 at 08:52 AM