London has become the first city in the world to announce an ultra-low emission zone to tackle rising levels of air pollution, under which the drivers of the most polluting cars will have to pay an extra charge.<br/><br/>London mayor Sadiq Khan today announced that the new zone will be launched from April 8, 2019, when most polluting cars, vans and motorbikes will have to pay 12.50 pounds to drive through central London, while buses, coaches and HGVs will pay 100 pounds. <br/><br/>The mayor's office hopes the move will result in a 50 per cent drop in emissions by 2020. The new charge in 2019 will replace the "toxicity charge", which comes into force from October this year, under which pre-2006 diesel and petrol vehicles will face an extra 10-pound charge when they enter central London during peak times.