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Just Over A Third of ULEZ Scrap Payments Accepted

Published Date: 17th Aug 2021

Sadiq’s Khan’s plans for the expansion of London’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) are going ahead and should be in operation from October 2021. The plans will expand the existing ULEZ zone to the North and South Circular roads, driver’s whose cars do not meet the CO2 requirements will have to pay a £12.50 daily levy.

ULEZ Sign

Khan has set aside £61million for a scrappage scheme to encourage people to ditch their old car for a new, cleaner one. The funds are primarily for the poorer, disabled, small businesses and charities. A grant of £2000 is available for cars while moped/motorcycle owners can apply for a grant of £1000.

One of the arguments against schemes like ULEZ is, that it hits the poorest hardest, in this case those who cannot afford a newer vehicle that meets the emissions requirements. People in some quarters have also questioned the effect it has on small businesses.

Initially more than 16,000 have applied for the ULEZ scrappage scheme with just over 6000 applications accepted to date.

The TFL (Transport For London) says that almost half of the rejected applications are due to ineligibility (either because of insufficient information or because the vehicles do not meet the guidelines for the scrappage scheme).

Over a 1000 of successful applicants were also very slow to get a pay-out due to drivers being slow to claim the money after a successful application.

The requirements for the existing ULEZ Zone and the expanded area when it comes into operation are as follows:

  • Must meet Euro 3 standards - motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category).
  • Must meet Euro 4 (NOx) standards - petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles.
  • Must meet Euro 6 (NOx and PM) standards - diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles
  • Must meet Euro VI (NOx and PM) standards - lorries, buses/coaches and other specialist heavy vehicles (NOx and PM).

You can check if your vehicle meets the ULEZ standard here.