The heavy good vehicle (HGV) driver shortage-stricken UK sees almost 95% of heavy vehicles complying with the stricter Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards in London.
That’s according to new independent research, which suggests the number of HGV, buses and coaches meeting the LEZ standards has doubled since 2017 when the scheme was introduced.
The report also shows that since March when stricter rules were put in place the share of compliant vehicles increased from 87% to the current 95%.
The LEZ, which operates 24 hours a day and every day of the year, is part of the Mayor’s plans to tackle air pollution in the capital and aims to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles to become cleaner.
The scheme is forecast to cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from heavy vehicles by as much as 60% helping London meet legal limits no later than 2025, an undertaking that independent researchers estimated would take 193 years without these measures.
Nitrogen oxides are gases made from chemical reactions of nitrogen and oxygen and are produced by burning fuels like petrol and diesel in vehicles.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Toxic air pollution causes long-lasting harm and contributes to many thousands of premature deaths every year, so it is really encouraging to see businesses shifting to cleaner vehicles and 95% of HGVs now meeting the LEZ standards.
“I’ve implemented the most ambitious plans to tackle air pollution of any major city in the world – showing what we can achieve together if we are bold enough. I am extending the ULEZ in October because we know it will bring significant health benefits to millions of Londoners and help tackle the climate emergency.”
