London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made the decision to bring an end to the Ulez scrappage scheme in just three weeks’ time.
The scheme, which was opened up to all London residents, sole traders, small businesses, and charities last August, will no longer be accepting new applicants as of September 7th.
Under the programme, those who own vehicles that do not meet the minimum emissions standards can apply for grants of up to £9,000 for minibuses, £7,000 for vans, £2,000 for cars, and £1,000 for motorbikes. There is also an option for some vans and minibuses to be retrofitted with emissions abatement equipment.
Since its launch in January last year, the scheme has seen over £186 million committed to nearly 54,000 applicants. However, City Hall has stated that applications have significantly decreased in recent weeks, with more than 96% of vehicles in London now complying with Ulez standards on a typical day.
Mayor Khan expressed his pride in the success of the scrappage scheme, highlighting how it has encouraged Londoners to switch to cleaner and greener vehicles. He remains dedicated to improving the city’s air quality and promoting sustainable transport.
As the programme comes to a close, Khan has pledged additional funding to ensure that vehicles can continue to be donated to Ukraine to support their efforts in the conflict with Russia. Over 330 vehicles have already been donated through the scrappage programme.
Christina Calderato, director of strategy at Transport for London, noted the positive response to the scheme since it was opened to all Londoners. With the majority of those needing support already taking action and nearly 54,000 applications approved, demand for the programme has decreased.
For those vehicles that do not meet the minimum emissions standards and are not eligible for exemptions, a daily fee of £12.50 is required for entering the Ulez area. Petrol cars generally need to have been registered after 2005 to meet the Ulez requirement, while most diesel cars must have been registered after September 2015 to be exempt.
In conclusion, the Ulez scrappage scheme has played a significant role in promoting cleaner air in London, but as compliance with Ulez standards has increased, the need for the programme has decreased. Mayor Khan’s commitment to sustainable transport and air quality improvement remains unwavering even as the scheme comes to an end.
