The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, plans to extend a penalty scheme discouraging drivers of older vehicles from driving in the greater London area from next August, despite opposition from some councils.
Under the extended Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) plan, drivers of diesel cars older than seven years and those driving petrol cars older than seventeen years will now have to pay £12.50 (€14.21) to make a journey. Some politicians argue that the charge will unfairly penalise many workers affected by the current cost of living crisis and who cannot afford to change their car.
One estimate puts the percentage of vehicles in outer London affected at 15% and the penalty will apply from next August. London already has such a penalty for driving within the inner city limits.
This week, Mr Khan introduced a £110 million scrapple scheme to help some affected motorists to benefit from grants to change their cars. However, the scheme applies only to people on benefits, those with disabilities and charities, sole traders and small businesses.
Other incentives, such as cycling and public transport grants are also being promoted.
His office says Londoners receiving certain means-tested benefits and non-means-tested disability benefits can apply for cash grants of up to £2,000 to scrap their non-compliant cars or motorcycles. Or they can opt to receive "a higher value package comprised of up to two free annual bus and tram passes and a lower cash grant."
'Disabled people who want to scrap or retrofit a non-compliant wheelchair accessible vehicle will be able to apply for grants of £5,000 to reflect the higher cost of these vehicles. Disabled people can also apply for a nominated driver who lives at a different address if they do not drive themselves.'
‘Charities, sole traders and business with 10 or fewer employees registered in London can apply to scrap a van (£5,000 grant) or a minibus (£7,000 grant), retrofit certain vans or minibuses (£5,000 grant) or scrap and replace a van or minibus with a fully electric vehicle (£7,500 or £9,500 grant respectively)’
In order to drive within the London area, motorists must now establish whether their car meets the Euro standards introduced over the last 18 years. For example, the Euro 6 diesel standard was introduced in 2015 and so a car registered before then will be penalised. Then same applies to any petrol car registered before 2005.
