Due to a dearth of compatible vans on the market, tradespeople face enormous costs under Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion.
As on August 29, the zone will be expanded to encompass the entire capital, a measure that Mr. Khan claims will improve air quality.
It will require more vehicles that do not meet minimal criteria to pay Transport for London a £12.50 fee.
According to a report commissioned by TfL, 30,000 non-compliant vans use the Ulez extension region daily.
Sadiq Khan was accused of discarding over 5,000 ballots cast in opposition to his contentious extension of London’s Ultra-low Emission Zone.
Gareth Bacon, a Conservative Member of Parliament, has protested the development of ULEZ, which will affect his Orpington seat.
However, according to Auto Trader, which is utilized by about 80% of UK car dealers, there are just 5,181 vans for sale in London and south-east England on its online marketplace.
Its total for the entire United Kingdom is 23,803.
To avoid the Ulez surcharge, diesel vehicles, which constitute the great majority of vans, must meet the Euro 6 standard, which normally applies to vehicles registered after 2016.
A tradesperson entering the zone daily in an older van will accrue more than £3,100 in annual costs.
Drivers who fail to pay face a daily fine of £160, which is reduced by half if paid within two weeks.
On Auto Trader, the average price of a diesel van that meets emissions regulations is £23,972.
This is £6,500 more than a non-compliant van would cost.
A spokesperson for Auto Trader told the PA news agency, “This will be a significant concern for thousands of van drivers who are already struggling to deal with high inflation.”
The number of Ulez-compliant vans for sale in London and the South East is a mere fraction of the estimated 30,000 impacted vans, leaving the majority facing the possibility of paying hundreds of pounds more to commute to work.
Despite considerable resistance from Tory MPs, Sadiq Khan is moving through with proposals to extend the ULEZ. Beginning on 29 August 29, the boundary will encompass all 33 London boroughs.
Currently, the Ulez is restricted to the region bounded by the North and South Circular roads.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Khan stated, ‘The mayor has made it clear that expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone to the entire city of London was one of the most difficult decisions he’s had to make, but with 4,000 Londoners still dying from toxic air, it was a necessary one.
Eighty-five percent of automobiles in outer London already comply with the Ulez directive.
“For those who aren’t, the mayor has announced the largest scrappage program to date – £110 million – to assist micro businesses and Londoners most in need during the cost of living crisis, including low-income and disabled Londoners.”
Rishi Sunak urged the mayor last week to ‘properly examine’ the Ulex expansion after thousands of respondents to a consultation voiced their concerns.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr. Sunak stated, ‘It is sad that the mayor, supported by the Leader of the Opposition (Sir Keir Starmer), has chosen not to listen to the public, enlarging the zone against the wishes of the vast majority of citizens and businesses.
I urge the mayor to thoughtfully reconsider and address these grave concerns.
»Sadiq Khan’s Ulez extension will affect van drivers«