London ULEZ vehicle scrappage scheme expands

Following July’s High Court decision that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) can increase in size, the Mayor has confirmed new tranches of funding for owners of non-compliant cars, motorcycles and business vehicles. 

From 29th August, London’s ULEZ will expand to cover all boroughs of the UK capital. While divisive, the move received final judicial approval last month. This has now been followed by an announcement of financial support for all residents and organisations set to be impacted. The following funding has been confirmed: 

*£2,000 for every Londoner with a non-compliant car or motorcycle 

*Payment for van scrappage increased from £5,000 to £7,000, with small businesses and sole traders allowed to scrap three vans or minibuses to a total of £21,000, with retrofit payments also increasing to £6,000

*More support for charities, with minibus payments raised to £9,000, with up to three minibuses able to be scrapped to the value of £27,000

*Wheelchair adapted vehicle grants for disabled users will be increased to £10,000

While it’s estimated that 90% of vehicles driving through outer London are ULEZ compliant, in total £50million of City Hall reserves will be needed for the increased scheme. This brings the total investment in the increased scheme up to £160million. Those with disabilities or on low income were initially prioritised, and had six months to apply before criteria was opened up to include families. 

‘I have always said that expanding the ULEZ to the whole of London was a difficult decision, and not one I took lightly – but it’s a decision I remain committed to seeing through,’ said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. ‘I’m not prepared to step back, delay or water down vital green policies like ULEZ, which will not only save lives and protect children’s lungs by cleaning up our polluted air but help us to fight the climate crisis.’

‘Air pollution causes around 4,000 premature deaths across London each year, and around 600,000 Londoners live with lung conditions. There’s no question that we need to reduce traffic pollution to protect our health,’ added Shaun Spiers, Executive Director at Green Alliance. ‘It’s critical that we shift to cleaner transport and reduce emissions, and supporting all Londoners to choose cleaner vehicles is vital to the success of the expanded ULEZ. That’s why the substantial increase in grants announced today is an important step forward.’

More on ULEZ and traffic emissions: 

https://environmentjournal.online/features/clean-air-day-2023-smog-lies-and-villiers/

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/londons-air-is-much-cleaner-thanks-to-car-scrap-scheme/

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/expansion-of-londons-ulez-hailed-success/

Image: Elena Mozhvilo