| The London Low Emission Zone has now officially | | | | of the capital. London is well known for being a highly |
| come into effect. Quite a few readers will doubtless | | | | polluted city, and it is estimated that half the air pollution |
| be asking what it is, what it does, and how it will effect | | | | is a result of transport. London mayor Ken Livingstone |
| haulage companies and owner operators if media | | | | believes that the move will not only reduce overall |
| reports of the public being unaware of its existence | | | | emissions 16% by 2012, but will also cut down on the |
| are to be believed. | | | | 1,000 annual hospital admissions and 1,000 premature |
| Well, Haulage Exchange to the rescue, because here's | | | | deaths caused by low air quality. |
| a quick rundown of everything you need to know | | | | How much do haulage companies and owner |
| about the London LEZ! | | | | operators need to pay? |
| What is the LEZ? | | | | Vehicles registered and not meeting the green |
| For those of you that don't know LEZ stands for Low | | | | standards will have to pay a massive £200 per |
| Emission Zone. In London, the scheme has just been | | | | day to enter the zone. If an unregistered vehicle enters |
| introduced to reduce pollution, and it extends to the | | | | the LEZ and does not meet the emission standards, |
| entirety of greater London - an area of 610 square | | | | the driver will be fined a hefty £1,000 (reduced |
| miles. To enter the London Low Emission Zone, | | | | to £500 if paid within 2 weeks.) |
| vehicles must either meet specific emission standards | | | | Vehicles entering London from abroad will have their |
| or pay a daily fee of £200. Unlike the congestion | | | | fines chased by an international debt recovery agency. |
| charge, which charges motorists to use inner city | | | | How is the London LEZ enforced? |
| London roads during business hours, the LEZ will be in | | | | The London Low Emission Zone is set to be enforced |
| operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | | | | using a £54m setup involving Automatic Number |
| When does the LEZ start? | | | | Plate Reading Cameras. |
| Technically, the London LEZ has come into effect | | | | Any vehicle entering or driving in the LEZ will be |
| already for haulage vehicles with a weight exceeding | | | | checked against the DVLA to check whether the |
| 12 tonnes, but due to the majority of haulage firms | | | | vehicle has had the required work carried out. |
| having no knowledge of the new laws, haulage | | | | What about cars, motorbikes, vans, buses, coaches |
| industry workers have been given extra time to | | | | and emergency vehicles? |
| ensure their lorries meet the Euro III vehicle standards. | | | | Cars, motorbikes and small vans remain unaffected by |
| Firms have been granted an additional 28 days to | | | | the London LEZ in its current form. |
| make their vehicles green. | | | | Buses and coaches exceeding five tonnes, and lorries, |
| Lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes will be included | | | | motor caravans and horseboxes between 3.5 and 12 |
| from 7th July 2008, with large vans between 1.205 and | | | | tonnes will be required to pay from 7th July 2008. |
| 3.5 tonnes following on 4th October 2010. | | | | In the final part of the LEZ scheme, from the 4th |
| In 2012, the legislation will become stricter, and all | | | | October 2010, large vans and horseboxes between |
| vehicles previously affected by the law will need to be | | | | 1.206 and 3.5 tonnes, motor caravans between 2.5 and |
| compliant with Euro IV vehicle standards. | | | | 3.5 tonnes, and minibuses below 5 tonnes will also be |
| Does my haulage vehicle meet the Euro III/Euro IV | | | | included, though with a half price daily charge of |
| standards? | | | | £100. |
| The Euro vehicle standards relate to the amount of | | | | Ambulances and large hearses will also be included - |
| particulates emitted by the vehicle. As a general rule, | | | | the London Low Emissions Zone applies to all vehicles |
| any vehicles registered with the DVLA on or after the | | | | in the size bracket, regardless of whether they are for |
| 1st October 2001, they are assumed to be Euro III | | | | public or private usage. |
| compliant. | | | | Unsurprisingly, its something our members are beginning |
| Euro IV compliancy is more recent, and only vehicles | | | | to grumble about, and it will only increase as more |
| registered as new on or after the 1st October 2006 | | | | haulage vehicles are encompassed by the London |
| are assumed to meet these requirements. This level of | | | | Low Emissions Zone. For the moment though, it's best |
| greenness is not required until 2012, however. | | | | to be aware of the restrictions so you can avoid the |
| If your haulage vehicle was purchased before these | | | | heavy fees levied for vehicles in the capital. My (slightly |
| dates, you will either need to modify them to meet the | | | | biased) advice to all concerned about the LEZ is to join |
| standards, or pay the LEZ fee when working in | | | | a freight exchange, and swap loads to either make |
| London. | | | | paying £200 a day worthwhile, or to take on |
| Why do we need the LEZ? | | | | work exclusively away from London to avoid the |
| The LEZ is being brought in to counter the air pollution | | | | charges altogether. |