Drivers in London are converting to electric vehicles six times faster than the national average.

There are about 128,000 fewer diesel cars than there were back in 2017. This is impressive but there is still a long way to go if London is to be carbon-neutral by 2030.

“The expansion of the ultra-low emission zone is monumental and has turbo-charged the end of diesel cars in London,” said Oliver Lord, the head of Clean Cities Campaign UK.

“There is only one way to go: petrol and diesel cars out. Active, shared and electric mobility in.”

From Monday, new rules mean that the most polluting cars, vans and motorbikes will be charged £12.50 a day to drive within London’s ring road.

“This is a significant moment in our fight for kids to breathe clean air. The mayor must continue pushing to get toxic diesel off our streets and protect our children’s health,” said Jemima Hartshorn, the founder of Mums for Lungs.

The move is important. Last year, a study found that air pollution from roads in London is higher than any other European city.