Mayor confirms Low Emission Zone delay for vans
Thursday 23 September 2010 Back to Blog
Van contract hire drivers will not be subject to the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme until at least January 2012, Mayor Boris Johnson has confirmed.
Introduced in 2008, the LEZ scheme requires owners of large lorries, buses and coaches to meet emissions standards or face a £500-a-day fine if they enter the zone.
It was originally intended that the scheme would be extended to drivers of large vans and minibuses this October.
However, the mayor has decided to give those the extension would affect extra time to make the necessary changes to avoid the fine.
It is claimed this is a result of the extra pressure put on businesses due to the economic downturn.
The mayor's transport advisor Kulveer Ranger said: "The mayor is committed to making London the best big city in the world and therefore we must tackle the crucial issue of cutting pollution.
"We have given those drivers who will be affected by these changes extra time in order to get their vans and minibuses up to scratch in what has been tough financial times."
Renault is to launch the first all-electric van- the Kangoo Van ZE - next year