Beijing to boost air quality with congestion charge

Chinese officials are vying to boost air quality in the city of Beijing by introducing a congestion charge similar to that levied on motorists in London.

According to Chinese state media, congestion has become a major problem in the city, which has 4.8 million registered vehicles.

Although details of the anti-congestion measures are sketchy it is believed that air quality could be further improved as Beijing encourages motorists to adopt alternative-energy vehicles - such as electric and hybrid cars.

News agency Xinhua said that Beijing is planning a major overhaul of its electric charging point infrastructure - an idea that first put forward ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games held in the city.

Officials are also considering extending the subway system.

As well as toll roads, parking charge rises could help limit the impact of private car ownership on the city's air quality.

Back in 2005, satellite imagery was used to show that Beijing had the lowest air quality of any capital city in the world.

Posted by Joseph Hutton