London launches ULEZ scrappage scheme

The Mayor of London has announced a £110m package to help eligible residents pay for the cost of retrofitting, or more likely, replacing older vehicles ahead of a planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2023.

‘Severe’ concerns about ULEZ and scrappage expressed by NFDA

A statement on the Transport for London website said: “Following the success of our last scrappage scheme, which saw the removal of more than 15,000 polluting vehicles from London’s roads, our new scrappage scheme will support Londoners on certain low income or disability benefits, and eligible micro businesses (up to 10 employees), sole traders and charities with a registered address in London. Only eligible applicants with vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ emissions standard will qualify for our new scrappage scheme”.

READ: ‘NO SCRAPPAGE SCHEME WILL HAPPEN’, SAYS IAAF

However, the move to expand the ULEZ has been given, at best, a cautious reception. Sue Robinson from the National Franchised Dealers Association feels that the ULEZ or the scrappage scheme will not help the majority of residents. Expressing ‘severe concerns’ over the plans, she said: “The total budget allocated for the scrappage scheme will not be sufficient to make an impact the level at which the Mayor is expecting”.

“By increasing the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone to the entirety of London, it is forcing the residents of London to make a decision before they are ready. During a period of unprecedented financial struggle and in the midst of a cost of living crisis, families of low income may not be ready to make a transition to a newer vehicle even with the scrappage scheme.

“NFDA remains firmly against the decision to extend the ULEZ, or at least the timescale of enforcement is far too soon. Without the availability of government incentives and the commitment for more investment towards EV infrastructure to adequately prepare London for a complete transfer to EV adoption, this restriction to older ICE and diesel vehicles should not be implemented.”

Eligible applicants can get up to £2,000 for scrapping a car or up to £1,000 for scrapping a motorcycle. For wheelchair accessible vehicles there is a payment of £5,000 to scrap or retrofit to the ULEZ standard.