Huge backing for 4x4 C-charge rise

More than eight out of 10 Londoners are in favour of a higher congestion charge for four-by-four vehicles, a report claims today.

The poll of more than 5,000 people - questioned at random at Tube stations - strengthens calls to penalise drivers of the most environmentally unsound cars.

Greenpeace, which carried out the survey, backs a charge of £20 to be introduced for vehicles which do fewer than 25 miles per gallon or emit more than 250g of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

That would include popular makes like the Land Rover Discovery and the new Range Rover Sport. "We want the charge raised to £20 for four-by-fours and other high-emission vehicles to reflect the damage they do to the environment," said a Greenpeace spokesman.

The poll was also backed by the Alliance Against Urban 4x4s, which last year launched a controversial campaign issuing fake parking tickets on all-wheel drive vehicles and picketing school runs - the so-called Chelsea tractors are a popular choice with mothers.

However, Keith Lewis of the Society-of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, hit back at the latest calls.

He said: "Four-by-four vehicles make up just 3.5 per cent of London vehicles, and are not the worst in terms of emissions. People have a right to choose what type of vehicle they want, and if they want a four-by-four, they should be allowed that."

Earlier this year Ken Livingstone was forced to abandon plans to double the £5 congestion charge for drivers of off-road vehicles, when he was told by TfL that it was "impractical". In the past, the Mayor has called four-by-four drivers "complete idiots".