ULEZ expansion rethink needed

Experts say plan to compensate residents in expanding clean-air zone is inadequate

- JOHN EVANS

Motoring organisations and used car experts have criticised the mayor of London's recently announced vehicle scrappage scheme, which is intended to compensate some drivers in the capital's extended Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) who will be forced to change their vehicles to avoid paying an emissions charge.

The extension to the ULEZ will go live on 29 August, when it will encompass all London boroughs within the M25.

To avoid a daily charge of £12.50, petrol cars must meet the Euro 4 emissions standard, which became mandatory from 2005, while diesel cars must comply with Euro 6, which became mandatory from 2015.

Under the scrappage allowance, up to £5000 per claimant is available, although the standard allowance is £2000. To qualify, residents must be receiving certain low-income or disability benefits and be scrapping a car that doesn't meet the new emissions limits. The higher £5000 allowance is for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The mayor's office says the ULEZ expansion will help clear the capital's roads of 200,000 high-polluting vehicles, but the AA argued that up to 400,000 cars are going to be affected.