London Congestion Charge Boosting Hybrid Sales

The London congestion charge is being expanded westward starting today. "Transport for London claims the congestion charge has already cut emissions and poured funding into London's transport system. So far the congestion charge has brought about a reduction in congestion of up to 26%." But that's not the only benefit of this measure: It is also helping the sale of hybrid cars which are exempted from the £8 per day charge. Honda has announced that it will triple the supply of its Civic hybrid to 3,000 units during 2007. Toyota is also reporting gains for the Prius hybrid: "January’s Prius sales [are] up by 135% compared to the same month last year [and] full year figures [are] up by more than a third in 2006 to a new record of 5,017 units in the UK, up from 3,745 units sold in 2005." Good, but if you can, it's still better to walk, cycle or take public transportation. ::Green Car Congress