Boris’ deals to drive London towards lower emissions
Before the introduction of tighter standards for London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ), Mayor Boris Johnson announced deals struck with major vehicle manufacturers to aid van drivers as they transition to cleaner vehicles. From 3 January 2012, larger vans will fall under LEZ regulations for the first time.
Pre-empting changes to London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) early next year, Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, announced a series of financial deals today (4 April) aimed at van drivers who will have to upgrade to new, cleaner vehicles.
As part of the incentive a number of manufacturers have pledged to offer more affordable ways for van owners to replace their vehicles with cleaner alternatives and therefore avoid charges or possibly fines for driving in the LEZ with a polluting vehicle.
From 3 January owners of high polluting vans and minibuses will have to pay £100 a day to drive in the LEZ or face a £500 penalty.
There will also be tougher emissions standards for lorries, buses and coaches, which are already affected by the LEZ.
The LEZ, which started in 2008, is an area that covers most of Greater London and aims to encourage the most polluting diesel vehicles to become greener.
Unless they meet specific emissions standards, all vehicles driving in the LEZ have to pay a daily charge.
The system is maintained and enforced using cameras that record vehicle number plates and check these against a database of compliant vehicles compiled by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Vehicle Operator Services Agency, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and Transport for London’s own records.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said most people affected by the new changes would have already upgraded their vehicles.
“But for those remaining people I know these are difficult times and that their vehicles are essential for their livelihoods,” said the Mayor.
Road transport is the biggest contributor of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter pollutants – fine soot particles – in London and has a big impact on human health as well as the environment.
Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, said: “Traffic pollution is a major problem for people with asthma in London…We fully support ongoing measures to improve air quality in the capital, by reducing pollutants, encouraging cleaner fuel and promoting the use of low or no emission vehicles.”
Johnson is keen to cut pollution in London after narrowly avoiding EU fines last month and believes “drastic measures” are required to cut emissions in the capital.
“I am pleased to announce I have secured a hefty package of discounts with major van manufacturers which will help Londoners trade up their vehicles to new, cleaner models,” said Boris Johnson.
The manufacturers are Ashwoods, Citroën, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot and Volkswagen.
According to the Mayor’s office, the discounts include commercial vehicle scrappage programmes and cash back incentives.
The deals are targeted at vehicle owners affected by the impending changes in the LEZ rules but it is at the manufacturer’s discretion whether these deals are also offered to vehicle owners in the rest of the UK.
For further information:
Low Emission Zone information (TfL)
Image: EURIST e.V. | Flickr