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CHECK THE CHARGES
Jonathan Beadle, commercial manager at van leasing company Van Ninja outlines how to check if vehicles are compliant and what the charges will be
Motorists can check on the TFL website whether their vehicle meets emissions by keying in their vehicle number plate. In order to avoid paying charges, drivers need to meet the
required Euro emissions standards for their vehicle and emission type. These are as follows:
• Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category)
• Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles
• Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles.
Those working with heavier commercial transport or van leasing should also check the weight of their vehicles. Lorries, vans and specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes alongside buses, minibuses and coaches over 5 tonnes don’t need to pay the charge. Currently the charge is £12.50 per day for non-compliant cars,
motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to 5 tonnes).
If you drive within the zone, you’ll have to pay by midnight on the third day following a journey. Failure to pay will incur a penalty charge notice. Drivers can pay directly on the TFL website: (
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez- payments). You can also elect to pay via Auto Pay, which automatically bills
you for any congestion charges or ULEZ charges you may owe. There are no registration or renewal fees and drivers can set up via the TFL website: (
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/auto-pay). Finally, drivers can also opt to set up payment via the TFL Pay to Drive in London app, which can also be used to pay penalties, save vehicle details and check if a postcode is in a ULEZ charging zone. Naturally, amid the current cost-of-living concerns, penny- prudent drivers will be wary of accruing hefty charges once these new measures are in play. Over a typical five-day working week, drivers could rack up
£62.50 in charges, which amounts to £3,250 over the course of year. ■
In his letter to Sadiq Khan, Mr Newcomb said “The BMF is concerned that your officials have no real understanding of commercial vehicle fleets – and have not allowed sufficient time for BMF members and their trade customers to make operational changes before the new ULEZ start date. SMEs face disproportionate costs to comply with the ULEZ – and merchants fear for the survival of some of their trade customers.
“The BMF agrees with other organisations that believe the proposals are punitive and misguided. In our consultation responses, we have consistently said you should reconsider and emphasised (a) the need for a generous commercial vehicle scrappage scheme and (b) a later start date to allow SMEs to prepare. The BMF believes it is wholly unrealistic of you to proceed to expand the ULEZ at a time when hard-pressed firms and families are struggling in the cost of living crisis.
“For local builders and property repair firms, additional ULEZ charges will have a hugely significant impact. The overwhelming majority are SMEs that already face inflationary price rises, squeezed margins and contractual pressures. The BMF expects to see these consequences:
• the trade having to go back to their customers (often households) leading
to awkward conversations about re- negotiating project costs or submitting supplementary invoices;
• householders delaying or cancelling works because of higher input prices or cost
uncertainty;
• reluctance by SMEs to price up jobs as ULEZ costs affect themselves and their
end-customers.”
The letter goes on to cite issues with the proposed vehicle scrappage scheme and says the BMF regards it as essential that central and/or local government provide targeted financial support for certain classes of road user.
“This means financial assistance or tax changes to help businesses to replace old lorries, trucks and vans with cleaner, greener models.
“Businesses we represent have no choice but to use diesel vehicles - especially HGVs. In relation to vans, this means vans used by BMF members and their trade customers. That is why we have long favoured a targeted scrappage scheme for commercial vehicles. “We believe genuine questions remain unanswered on the way you are implementing the ULEZ expansion,” the letter continues. “The BMF urges you to urgently reconsider. Given the strength of feeling and high level of concern expressed by individual companies (especially SMEs), trade associations and employers’ federations, and trade unions (like the GMB), the BMF believes it is wiser for you to pause and take stock of the situation.” ■
Above: John Newcomb has set out the BMF’s concerns in a letter to the Mayor of London
www.ttjonline.com | May/June 2023 | TTJ
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