New LEZ rules come into play
Parts of London will become virtual no-go zones for Y-reg and 51-plate vehicles from today as new standards for London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) are introduced.
The tighter rules mean that more vehicles entering London will have to meet a certain criteria of tailpipe emissions or face a daily charge of between £100-200. Larger vans and minibuses will be required to meet the Euro III emissions standard for particulate matter or Euro IV for lorries, buses and coaches.
Operating 24 hours a day across most of Greater London, non-compliance could be a costly decision for fleet and transport operators.
Many companies have reorganised their fleet shifting their more CO2 heavy vehicles out of the capital in the months leading up to the new standards taking effect [link].
Preparedness
Natalie Chapman, the Freight Transport Association’s Head of Policy for London, was more worried over smaller businesses and believes that absorbing the penalties is “simply not an option”.
She said: “Research by the FTA shows that fortunately, most large HGV fleet operators will be fully compliant with, or prepared for, the move up from Euro 3 to Euro 4 standard engines.
“However, for tradespeople operating vans over ten years old, the LEZ will be an entirely new consideration and, therefore, preparedness will be far lower. This is where our immediate concern lies.
“For many small businesses and sole traders, 2011 has been all about keeping afloat and the looming LEZ changes may catch them out.”
Chapman advised those with non-compliant vans to avoid London but acknowledged that it may be impossible for London-based van operators.
The ongoing aim of the LEZ is to make the air in London cleaner without the minimum of financial impact for those who need to upgrade their vehicles, explained London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Pollution remains a serious health issue, one which I take very seriously which is why as I redouble our efforts to clean up London’s air with one hand, I will also be fending off European fines with the other,” he concluded.
New charges facing vehicle types
£100 a day
- Larger vans, motorised horseboxes, 4×4 light utility vehicles, pick-ups, other specialist vehicles – weighing 1.205 tonnes unladen – 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
- Motor caravans and ambulances weighing 2.5 – 3.5 tonnes gross
- Minibuses (with more than 8 passenger seats) – weighing 5 tonnes or less gross
£200 a day
- Lorries, goods vehicles, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, refuse collection vehicles, road sweepers, concrete mixers, tippers, fire engines, removals lorries and other specialist vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes gross
- Buses and coaches (with more than 8 passenger seats) weighing more than 5 tonnes gross
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