WITH the London Congestion Charge set to be replaced with an ‘Ultra Low Emission Discount’, electric cars are set to reap the benefits while manufacturers struggle to bring fuel emissions so low.

Londoners have reaped the benefits from the array of cars that emit less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre. But by the end of June, any new cars will have to have CO2 emissions of 75g/km or less if they are to benefit from free entry into London’s Congestion Charge zone. 

Cars with CO2 emissions above 75g/km but below 100g/km will still be able to benefit from free London driving for the next three years – but only  if they register by the end of June – less than two months away now. Transport for London confirmed the new limit comes into force on July 1, 2013.

Car manufacturers are using it as an opportunity to boost the profiles of their electric cars and plug-in hybrids, including Volvo, who are encouraging those who drive regularly in the capital to consider investing in the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - which emits CO2 of just 48g/km.

Volvo''s most technically advanced model meets all the criteria laid out in the Mayor''s new policy for plug-in hybrids, such as (figures in brackets are for the V60 D6 AWD):

• Minimum electric range of 10 miles (up to 31 miles)

• Maximum electric speed of at least 60mph (78mph)

• Rechargeable battery pack charged from an external source and combustion engine (11.2kW lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged via standard UK household 3-pin plug and also using the diesel engine)

Hybrid Benefit In Kind taxation was originally expected to rise from the current (2013-14) 5% to 15% in 2015-16.  However, the government has now confirmed that vehicles emitting between zero and 50g/km of CO2, which the V60 D6 AWD falls into, will be taxed at 5% in 2015-16 and 7% in 2016-17, instead of the higher 51-75g/km band, taxed at 9% and 11% respectively.

Having recently been announced at the Geneva Motorshow 2013 in March, the V60 D6 AWD has undergone a number of enhancements to the interior and exterior design and also the addition of a greater choice of colours and available features.  

Available in SE Lux Nav specification and priced from £48,775 (£43,775 including the £5000 Plug-in Car Grant) on-the-road, it features newly developed technology such as Active Bending Xenon Headlights with permanent high-beam and Cyclist Detection.

The V60 D6 AWD features a 215hp diesel engine powering the front wheels while a 70hp electric motor powers the rear wheels.  It has three selectable modes (Pure, Hybrid and Power) allowing the driver to dictate the way he/she wants to drive. 

Reaching speeds of up to 78mph in pure electric mode, while offering a 0-60mph time of just 5.8 seconds, all-wheel-drive capability, but still certified to 48g/km of CO2, the Volvo V60 D6 AWD is – according to the manufacturer – ‘a completely unique offering in the vehicle marketplace’.