London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and how it may affect you
The London Low Emission Zone scheme (LEZ) was first introduced on February 4th 2008 and covers most of Greater London. It was setup to help London meet its European Union (EU) air pollution obligations by reducing roadside pollution, which is a major contributor to the city’s airborne pollution problem. On January 3rd 2012 the scheme will move into phase 3 which will affect older minibuses, large vans, 4×4 light utility vehicles, pickups and other specialist diesel vehicles with an un-laden weight greater than 1.205 tonnes.
If you vehicle has a 51 plate or older and was registered as new before 1st January 2002 then the new regulations will affect you, regardless of whether your vehicle is used for private or commercial use. This means that vans with Euro 2 engines that don’t meet the emissions standard by 3rd January and who drive within the Greater London area will have to pay a daily charge of £100 or risk a £500 penalty.
Which vehicles won’t meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012
| Vehicle types that won’t meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012 | ||
| Vehicle Type | Weight | Age |
| - Larger vans- Motorised horseboxes- 4×4 light utility vehicles
- Pick-ups - Other specialist vehicles |
1.205 tonnes unladen, to 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight | Vehicles registered as new before 1 January 2002 |
| - Motor caravans- Ambulances | 2.5 – 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight | Vehicles registered as new before 1 January 2002 |
| - Minibuses (with more than 8 passenger seats) | 5 tonnes or less Gross Vehicle Weight | Vehicles registered as new before 1 January 2002 |
Do I have any options?
Aside from getting a newer van there are a number of options available if your vehicle doesn’t meet the LEZ standard and you still wish to use it within the Greater London LEZ zone.
- Pay a daily fine of £100 each time you enter the LEZ zone.
- Convert your van to run solely on LPG.
- Have a filter fitted that reduces your vehicles emissions enough to comply with the LEZ emissions standards. This involves purchasing the correct filter, having it fitted and then getting it certified which can cost up to £3000. Once a filter is fitted it will need to be re-tested every year and with a year’s fumes passing through it along with wear and tear, there is no guarantee that after 12 months is up, the filter will still be capable of ensuring the vehicle passes a second emissions test.
What are the changes to larger vehicles?
With regards to Lorries, buses & coaches and heavy specialist vehicles the current minimum standard is a Euro III engine, which will change to Euro IV from 3rd January 2012. This means that larger vehicles will need to have been registered as new either on or after 1st October 2001 to comply with the new 2012 emissions standards. Failure to comply with this new standard whilst operating within the Greater London area will result in a daily charge of £200 or risk a fine of £1000.
Larger vehicles that won’t meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012
| Vehicle types that won’t meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012 | ||
| Vehicle Type | Weight | Age |
| - Lorries- Motor caravans- Motorised horseboxes
- Breakdown and recovery vehicles - Snow ploughs - Gritters - Refuse collection vehicles - Road sweepers - Concrete mixers - Fire engines - Tippers - Removal lorries - And other specialist vehicles |
More than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight | Vehicles registered as new before 1 October 2006 |
| - Buses- Coaches (with more than 8 passenger seats) | More than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight | Vehicles registered as new before 1 October 2006 |
Which areas does the LEZ cover and how do they check?
| Unlike the London congestion charge, the LEZ operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays. All roads within Greater London which covers 32 Boroughs and the Corporation of London are included in the zone, along with Heathrow and parts of the M1 and M4. The M25 is excluded from the LEZ even in those areas where it passes through the Greater London Authority boundary.All entry points into the LEZ are signposted as such: |
The LEZ is monitored by cameras that check a vehicles registration plate against a database of registered vehicles. The database uses information from The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) along with information gathered from vehicles who have registered for the scheme. This enables the system to be able to automatically tell whether a vehicle has paid the daily charge, meets the minimum emissions standard or is subject to a fine.
This means that if your vehicle isn’t registered in the UK it wont be in any of the databases to be checked, so you can be fined even if your vehicle complies with the emissions standard. You can prevent this from happening by registering your vehicle if you intend to drive within the LEZ
Is there a way of check to see if my vehicle is affected?
Yes you can check on the Transport for London website to see if your vehicle is affected by the new changes to come into place on January 3rd 2012
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