London mayor Ken Livingstone's new low emission zone has been met with strong opposition over claims it is confusing drivers and will not significantly cut carbon emissions.
The capital's Low Emisson Zone, which went live on Monday, targets operators of lorries, buses and coaches that fail to meet low emissions targets and sees them charged £200 a day to drive into London.
However, opponents claimed hundreds of bewildered drivers were confronted by signs on the M25 warning of the arrival of the LEZ, confused over who it affected.
AA president Edmund King said: "Many motorists do not seem to have a clue what the signs mean.
"Some may be worried to venture past the M25 as they don't know what the LEZ is.
"Many seem to think it is linked to the Mayor's plan to tax 4x4s more for congestion. The signs do not make it clear that it does not affect cars."
Some small businesses have had to pay over £25,000 to comply - a longer timescale would have been much fairer. Large numbers will simply not upgrade and give up coming into London. This is not good in keeping London open for business," he said.
Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers said it will bring firms "to their knees" and cost him £1m in new vans, referring to the scheme being expanded over the next few years to other commercial vehicles.
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