Can London change today and tomorrow with new technology?
A British business and innovator in the connected car space, Tantalum has submitted its deadline day response to the Mayor of London’s draft Transport Strategy.
Speaking from Tantalum’s London office, Ozgur Tohumcu, CEO of Tantalum said: “Sadiq Khan’s strategy gets a lot of things right. We support his ideas around cleaning up London’s air quality (which is illegally high) and reducing congestion. But at Tantalum, we want London to embrace much more fully what connected car technology has to offer today, rather than in 15 years' time.
"We fully support the Mayor’s proposals of a 'pay-as-you-pollute' model, but the technology to monitor real time emissions is available now and can quickly help local authorities start to make a real difference to the health of millions of people. Tantalum is committed to working as closely as possible with the relevant agencies to promote this technology.
"As well as providing live feedback on emissions, the technology also allows for drivers to consciously adapt their driving habits to reduce emissions. In 2021 when the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanded, this will be much fairer on those who can’t afford to sell their diesels yet, but who want to drive in a more emissions friendly way and get rewarded for doing so.
"Sadiq Khan says ‘London is open’. I live in London and couldn’t agree more, but it has to include being open to new ideas around technology as well. Having recently opened a new office in Silicon Valley, I’ve seen first-hand how technology and ambition can make a real difference to people’s lives. We look forward to our response informing the final transport strategy, due to be published in its final form in 2018.”