PLANS to charge higher-emitting vehicles £25 a day to enter London have been criticised by the UK’s leasing industry.

London mayor Ken Livingstone wants the charge to be levied at vehicles that emit CO2 at the rate of 225g/km and above from 2009 or 2010.

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) director general John Lewis said: ‘We’re puzzled as to why Ken Livingstone has selected CO2 emissions as the measure of a vehicle’s acceptability in the congestion zone. Only national governments can tackle the problem of global warming – piecemeal action by local authorities can hardly begin to dent the problem.’