We have a new truck that will enable us to comply with new anti-pollution legislation introduced in London!

There were just two months’ notice before Transport for London introduced the new ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone).

While it is understandable that given the publicity about the toxic atmosphere that is believed to have been causing many people, particularly children, to suffer from asthma and especially given the recent Extinction Rebellion demonstrations in the city to highlight the problems of climate change the new charges have added a cost burden to many businesses that have to drive into the zone to make deliveries

It operates within the same area as the Congestion Charge, which is payable as well. The Congestion Charge is an £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. 

To be ULEZ compliant, a vehicle has to be Euro6 compliant, which means it has to have a 66 (or newer) registration, in other words be no older than September 2016.

The ULEZ charge operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Most vehicles are subject to the daily £12.50 rate, including vans up to 3.5 tonnes, minibuses and motorcycles. However, for lorries above 3.5 tonnes the charge is £100 per day.

Failure to pay the ULEZ charge will incur significant fines. It is set at £160 (reduced to £80 if you pay within 14 days)

Many people do not realise that there is also a LEZ. The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was set up to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in the Capital to become cleaner. It covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Charging days run from midnight to midnight – if you drive within the LEZ between 23:30 and 01:00 the next day, you’d need to pay for two days.

This website explains about the zones, charges and registering your vehicle.