Sadiq Khan launched plans yesterday (5 July) for the toughest crackdown on the most polluting vehicles by any major city around the world. A £10 charge for the most polluting vehicles and an extended ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) are key elements of the mayor’s proposal, unveiled on the 60th anniversary of the Clean Air Act.
FTA is calling for support as well as regulation, including a temporary discount on the Congestion Charge ahead of the new start date of the ULEZ in 2019 – one year ahead of its original implentation.
FTA’s head of national and regional policy Christopher Snelling (pictured) says: “It is sensible that the initial surcharge next year will focus on much older vehicles which are disproportionately polluting – HGVs already work to this standard in London and, while it may affect some van operators, it should be manageable.
“However, the ULEZ starting in 2019 and expanding in 2020 will cause significant issues – especially in the van sector where there will only be two-and-a-half to three years’ worth of compliant vehicles in the fleet.
“Typically, operators who rely on second-hand vehicles buy at four years old, so it will place significant cost burdens on them.”
FTA reckons the proposals could cost a typical small operator with five vans more than £100,000.
“No one disputes the need to improve air quality,” adds Snelling. “What we do object to is the one-sided nature of these measures – all burden and no support. London could improve air quality more quickly, and reduce the burden on businesses at the same time by offering a temporary discount to the Congestion Charge for compliant vehicles prior to the ULEZ starting.”
To view the consultation, click the link below.