Boris Johnson wants to raise the congestion charge for diesel cars by £10 in a move to cut air pollution.
The change would mean diesel drivers could have to pay a total of £20 to get into Central London.
Petrol cars registered before 2006 would also have to pay extra under the plans which the Mayor wants in place by 2020.
The announcement came ahead of the launch or a new air quality manifesto this evening.
The Mayor’s senior advisor for environment and energy Matthew Pencharz, said: “When it comes to tackling London’s air pollution. and protecting the health and well-being of all Londoners, diesel cars are an issue which must be addressed.
“Over recent years the Euro diesel engine standards have not delivered the emission savings expected, yet governments have been incentivising us to buy them. This has left us with a generation of dirty diesels.”
It comes after Mr Johnson clashed with the EU earlier this year when London breached the union’s air pollution limits.
Green London Assembly Member Jenny Jones said any plan for controls on cars only in Central London would be “too small to have any significant impact”.
She added: “The Mayor is right to target diesel vehicles as a major health hazard but we need action on them immediately, not 2020.”
