The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

62 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
Box 21: Cleaner and quieter vehicles
Many cleaner vehicles, promoted through the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy,
will also be quieter. Conversions from diesel to liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
or compressed natural gas (CNG) can offer significant reductions, especially
for large diesel engines - perhaps 6 dB - though this is not always the case.
An ‘Environmentally Enhanced Vehicle’ (EEV) category has been suggested,
with cleaner and quieter engines, control of body rattle and other incidental
noise. Fuel cell vehicles would be very much quieter. Subject to positive
results from trials and availability of resources, the Mayor wishes to
encourage fuel cell vehicles in London. During the transition to fuel cells,
hybrid-electric drive is likely to become more common (see glossary).
Battery electric vehicles can, of course, be very quiet.
4A.11 The Mayor is working with boroughs through a London Clean Fuel
Working Group to promote improvements to the support infrastructure for
alternatively-fuelled vehicles. In pursuit of the Mayor’s Air Quality
Strategy, a Low Emission Zone Feasibility Study has been carried out, with
partners (see glossary and paragraph 3.41). Many parts of London where
air quality needs improving also experience high levels of traffic noise.
The Congestion Charge (see paragraphs 4A.42-44) provides an incentive
for electric vehicles and certain other vehicles propelled by alternative
fuels. Many of these are also quieter. The Mayor, with others including
the London Development Agency, is promoting a London Hydrogen
Partnership to encourage fuel cell and related activities. Safety issues will
need to be considered in the design and operation of ultra-quiet vehicles.
Less noise from motorised vehicles can make walking and cycling more
attractive - a virtuous circle of noise reduction.
policy 4
policy 5
proposal 2
The Mayor will seek Government action, with European partners where
necessary, to secure vehicle noise certification standards and testing
which reflect noise emissions in the conditions in which vehicles are
typically used, having regard to urban driving patterns, and changing
technologies. Effective measures to secure the development and use of
quieter tyres should be vigorously pursued.
The Mayor will urge the Government and the motor industry to support
development of markets for vehicles which are quieter in operating
conditions, alongside other objectives, including consideration of
differential taxation based on vehicle noise levels.
The Mayor, with Transport for London will, and London boroughs and
other organisations should, promote development and adoption of
vehicles which are quieter in operating conditions, wherever practicable
and cost-effective. This includes the work of the London Hydrogen