The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has criticised the London Assembly Liberal Democrats (LALD) for producing a list of vehicles, which it says, should incur double the London congestion charge for drivers.

The SMMT said the list was based on a ‘well-trodden path of anti-SUV stereotypes, misinformation and out-of-date American safety research’.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan, says: 'The London Assembly Liberal Democrats suggest that a "one size fits all" approach to the London congestion charge is flawed. Why then have they chosen to apply the same approach - the one size fits all 4x4 label - to produce a list of cars which they claim should pay double to drive in central London? It makes no sense at all.”

The SMMT’s response to the London Assembly Liberal Democrats

LALD: “SUVs are a danger to pedestrians”

“The British-built Honda CR-V is one of only a handful of cars to have gained three stars in independent NCAP crash tests for pedestrian protection. This is a better performance than 19 out of 21 supermini models tested by the safety body since 2002. So, why is the CR-V included in the Liberal Democrats' list?”

LALD: “SUVs take up more road space and cause congestion”

SMMT: ”The three best-selling 4x4 / SUVs in the UK, Land Rover Freelander, Toyota RAV 4 and Honda CR-V are all shorter than a Mondeo or Vectra. How then can they be more responsible than larger cars for congestion?”

LALD: “SUVs emit four times more CO2 at the tailpipe” SMMT: “The group claims that 4x4 / SUVs emit up to four times more CO2 than 'cars'. This is nonsense. The average luxury saloon emits 286 g/km, 4x4 / SUVs emit 244 g/km and sports cars 232 g/km.

”Carbon dioxide emissions from 4x4 / SUVs have also fallen by 14.6% since 1997, more than the 9.7 per cent average for all new cars sold in the UK.”

LALD: “SUVs cause more damage than any other type of car”

SMMT: “Out-of-date US research has been used to justify the claim that UK-sold SUVs in 2005 are inherently dangerous. The truth is that the vast majority are smaller car-derived vehicles, compared to larger truck-derived models sold in the US.

”The focus on crash tests also ignores the huge investment in the latest active safety systems like ABS, electronic stability and traction control systems, as well as crash compatibility and anti-rollover features fitted to modern 4x4s like the Volvo XC90.”

  • 4x4s included on the SUV 'hitlist':

    BMW X5 series Landrover Discovery series
    Chevrolet K5 Blazer Landrover SI
    Chevrolet S-10 ZR-2 Lexus RX-300
    Chevrolet Tracker Mazda Tribute
    Daewoo Korando Mercedes Benz G Class
    Daewoo Musso Mercedes-Benz M-Class
    Daihatsu Fourtrak Mitsubishi L200
    Daihatsu Sportrak Mitsubishi Outlander
    Daihatsu Terios Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin
    Dodge Dakota R/T Mitsubishi RVR
    Dodge Raider Mitsubushi Shogun
    Foers Ibex Nissan Pathfinder
    Ford Explorer LS Nissan Patrol
    Ford Explorer XLT Nissan Terrano
    Ford F150 XLT 5.8 Lariat Nissan X-Trail
    Ford Maverick Nissan Murano
    Honda CR-V Opel/Vauxhall Frontera
    Honda Element 2.4litre EX Porsche Cayenne
    Honda HRV Range Rover
    Hummer Renault Scenic RX4
    Hyundai Santa Fe Ssangyong Rexton
    Hyundai Terracan Subaru Forester
    Hyundai Tucson Suzuki Grand Vitara
    Infinity QX4 Suzuki Jimney
    Isuzu Bighorn Suzuki SJ410/SJ413
    Isuzu Jimny Suzuki Vitara
    Isuzu Rodeo Suzuki XL 7
    Isuzu Trooper Toyota Hilux
    Jeep Cherokee Toyota Landcruiser
    Jeep Wrangler Toyota RAV4
    KIA Sorento Toyota Surf
    Kia Sportage Vauxhall Frontera 2.0 Sport
    Land Rover Freelander series Vauxhall Monteray
    Landrover Defender series Volkswagen Touareg
    Volvo XC90