LONDON LOW EMISSION ZONE - Update 15th April

Transport for London
London Low Emission Zone
www.tfl.gov.uk

From 7 July 2008 the scheme will be extended to include additional vehicles. This will affect Members please ensure that they are well informed and prepared in advance of the launch of the LEZ.

Vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards are required to pay a £200 daily charge to drive within the zone or risk a £1000 Penalty Charge Notice.

The whole of the Greater London area has been designated a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The LEZ will improve air quality by deterring the most polluting diesel engined vehicles from driving within the Greater London area.

The LEZ currently applies:

From 4th February 2008 to all diesel engined lorries over 12 tonnes.

In future the LEZ will apply:

From 7th July 2008 to all diesel engined lorries over 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes with more than 9 seats.
From 4th October 2010 to all diesel engined vans over 1.205 tonnes and minibuses under 5 tonnes with more than 9 seats.

All of these vehicles, including good vehicles, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, and other specialist vehicles, will have to comply with an emission standard of Euro III for particulate matter in order to operate within the LEZ without charge. From January 2012 the emission standard will be tightened to Euro IV for lorries, buses and coaches only.

The LEZ will not apply to cars, motorcycles or small vans (under 1.205 tonnes unladen weight).

Vehicles first registered as new on or after 1st October 2001 are deemed to be Euro III compliant and so will meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2008.

Owners of vehicles which do not meet the specified emissions standards for the LEZ have several options to comply with the scheme including:

Fitting approved particulate abatement equipment to the vehicle
Purchasing a newer vehicle
Certifying that an eligible engine meets the required standard
Paying a daily charge.

In addition to the LEZ leaflet, TfL has set up a dedicated enquiries service to help vehicle owners and operators understand what the LEZ means for them and what they may have to do to comply with the scheme. TfL's website www.tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon provides detailed information about the LEZ, or alternatively operators can call the dedicated call centre on 0845 607 0009.

Information on approved abatement equipment and suppliers for fitting such equipment can be found on TfL's website at www.tfl.qov.uk/lezlondon together with the processes for getting approved abatement equipment certified once fitted. Members should be aware that sourcing abatement equipment takes an average of six to 12 weeks and for older or more specialist this can take up to 16 weeks. Modified vehicles then have to be certified by VOSA.

The LEZ scheme will be extended on 7 July 2008 and owners and operators of affected vehicles are advised to take early action to comply with the requirements of the scheme.