SIEMENS Datatrak has launched a new vehicle tracking service to warn employers when vehicles enter congestion charging zones.

From February next year, drivers will be charged £5 to enter London as it becomes the first city to launch congestion charging.

Siemens will create an electronic watchbox around the charging zone to create automatic reports when vehicles fitted with its tracking system enter the area. This will allow fleets to automatically assess the cost of congestion charges and compare them to any bills raised by the scheme's operator, without the need for time-consuming paperwork.

Michael Bateson, UK managing director of Siemens Datatrak, said: 'For fleet managers, the new congestion charging scheme for London represents a significant challenge for companies operating fleets.'

Fleet management firm VELO predicted last week that there would be a surge in demand for in-car telematics systems among fleets keen to keep track of their exposure to congestion charging bills.