Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is to look at measures including a zero-emission zone in central London and increased public sector take-up of zero-emission vehicles to drive down car usage and enhance air quality.

Sadiq Khan has set a target for London’s entire transport system to be zero emission by 2050.

The mayor’s newly published draft Transport Strategy – which is now out for consultation until 2 October – sets out a target to reduce total London traffic by 10-15% by 2041, cutting travel by 3 million car journeys a day to “free up space for essential freight and business trips”.

Intended to ensure London’s entire transport system is zero emission by 2050, the plans would see a zero emission zone in central London by 2040 and a London-wide zone by 2050 – with public sector fleets expected to stand at the forefront of the shift to ultra-low and zero emission technologies. By 2030, the plans say all public sector car fleet should be zero emission capable. The plans also account for taxis and PHVs, which would be required to be zero emission capable by 2033 with buses to be zero emission by 2037.

Other initiatives would include explorations of the latest forms of road user charging, including a pay-per-mile charge, building on the forthcoming introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone and the T-charge – which would remain under regular review.

The mayor will also look to introduce a workplace parking levy scheme and restrict car parking provision within new developments.

Mr Khan said: “We have to make not using your car the affordable, safest and most convenient option for Londoners going about their daily lives. This is not only essential for dealing with congestion as London grows, but crucial for reducing our toxic air pollution, and improving the health of all Londoners.”

The plans would also target traffic reduction and road safety improvements through enhancements in public transport – including under the ‘Healthy Streets Approach’ – and targeting freight, including through increased uptake of two-wheeled vehicles, in particular ultra-low emission motorcycles.

Meanwhile on a national scale, the plan calls for vehicle tax exemption for zero-emission vehicles now along with a diesel scrappage scheme in 2020 and taxation to encourage ULEVs over conventional vehicles. And by 2050, the plans say taxation should discourage ownership of non-zero-emission vehicles.