Citroen will pay the London congestion charge for new C2 stop-start model customers.

The £8 per day charge for 212 days (a total of £1,696), which Citroen says is the average working year, will be given in cash to customers.

Citroen’s £10,495 C2, which maximises fuel economy and minimises exhaust gases by switching off its engine when stationary, is not exempt from the congestion charge in the same way as other vehicles with low fuel consumption like the Toyota Prius.

The Energy Saving Trust, which decides which cars must pay the congestion charge, admitted the C2 met required criteria because of its low carbon dioxide emissions and good fuel economy. But it said the petrol-driven C2 went against the scheme’s spirit because it did not use an alternative fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas or electricity.

(Source: The Times)