A higher congestion charge of £25 per day for "gas guzzling" cars in London has been scrapped by Boris Johnson the new London Mayor.  The new charge was due to be introduced in October and had been endorsed by Ken Livingstone the former mayor.  The tax had been challenged unsuccessfully by car manufacturers.

Boris Johnson, a keen cyclist, has been revisiting several decisions made by Ken Livingstone including the extension of the congestion charge zone where he has announced an public enquiry.  The higher congestion tax for what were in reality more expensive cars was seen by many has a green tax too far and in some quarters was seen as a wealth tax by a left leaning mayor.

No surprisingly, the decision has been welcome by the automotive industry.