London must rethink its Ultra Low Emission Zone plans

Transport for London should rethink its plans to cap emissions in central London. That’s the view of the motoring trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which […]

Transport for London should rethink its plans to cap emissions in central London. That’s the view of the motoring trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which says the standards in the zone should actually be tougher than planned.

The Mayor of London is proposing to make the congestion charge zone cleaner, where vehicles will have to be zero or low emission. TFL’s current Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) plans, separate diesel from petrol cars and vans. Diesel vehicles will require a Euro 6 standard on emissions and petrol vehichles will need to be Euro 4 standard, by 2020.

There are two Europe wide standards on vehicles emissions, Euro 6 is more stringent.

In an open letter to the Mayor of London, the SMMT think however, all vehicles should be on the Euro 6 emission standard. This would set the bar for London.

Chief Executive, Mike Hawes of SMMT said: “The implementation of the ULEZ will accelerate the take-up of ultra-low and low emission vehicles but a harmonisation of standards – a technology neutral approach – for petrol and diesel vehicles would strengthen the initiative.”

Current European legislation that will come into place next September, will not allow diesel vehicles to be sold if they do not meet Euro 6 standards.

If the current TFL proposals go to plan, it would allow vehicles of up to 14 years old to enter the zones without any penalty charges.

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