Fleets and businesses that operate in London, or need to access London, will need to start future-proofing their fleets to meet stringent new access rules likely to arrive within two years.
The Mayor of London is on course to introduce wide-ranging changes to the various charges to enter London from May 2024.
Among the proposals being considered by Mayor Sadiq Khan, in a consultation document prepared by consultancy firm Element Energy, is a further enlargement to the recently extended Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), access payments to London for vehicles outside the capital, and in the future road pricing based on miles driven, the vehicle’s tailpipe pollution and access to public transport alternatives.
The document was released to highlight the changes required to meet the increased congestion and pollution through higher vehicle use post pandemic – estimated to have cost £5.1 billion – and to meet 2030 net-zero targets.
Among the changes required by the Mayor is a 27% reduction in traffic, part of which will be achieved by greater use of active travel – such as walking and cycling – better public transport and reduced private car use. With greater use of cleaner vehicles, the Mayor also hopes to tackle London’s toxic air quality.
The proposals look to consider the following:
- Extending the ULEZ even further to tackle more of the dirtiest vehicles: extending the current zone beyond the north and south circular roads to cover the whole of Greater London, using the current charge level and emissions standards.
- Modifying the ULEZ to make it even more impactful in reducing emissions: building on the existing scheme by extending it to cover the whole of Greater London and adding a small clean air charge for all but the cleanest vehicles.
- A small clean air charge: a low-level daily charge across all of Greater London for all but the cleanest vehicles to nudge behavior and reduce the number of short journeys by car.
- Introducing a Greater London boundary charge, which would charge a small fee to non-London registered vehicles entering Greater London, responding to the increase in cars from outside London travelling into the city seen in recent years.
The Mayor (pictured left), along with Transport for London (TfL), is now entering a period of consultation with Londoners, local government and businesses about the way forward to achieving a healthier, cleaner London.
The report also said that a new kind of road user charging system would be required by the end of the decade. The pay on use system would see existing road user charges – such as the Congestion Charge and ULEZ – replaced with a pay per mile rated on vehicle pollution levels, the level of congestion in the area and access to public transport.
Reacting to the report, Nick Bowes, Chief Executive of Centre for London said:
“The Mayor’s ambitious targets for London to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 are to be applauded but as this report highlights, it is going to take a monumental effort and some very difficult decisions to achieve them. Transport is key to meeting the Mayor’s goals, and City Hall will need greater support from government to get there, including agreeing a fair and sustainable funding deal for Transport for London.”
What actions should fleets take?
“The changes will have a significant impact on businesses operating in and around London. And while the options are out for consultation, the Mayor of London has set a deadline of May 2024 for the introduction of changes to the current setup,” commented Mike Manners, Managing Director of CBVC Vehicle Management.
“What is clear from the Mayor’s report is that poor air quality is detrimental to residents’ quality of life and that zero emission vehicles can help improve this situation.
“Which means that fleets, businesses and van operators need to start considering how they can electrify their vehicles, understanding what that means operationally, and implementing strategies for change. We can help with that transition process, offering guidance on vehicle choice, whole life cost bandings and electric charge points with our partner Pod Point. However, I would caution not to wait – start the discussion now so your business is fully prepared for May 2024.”
To talk to CBVC about electrifying your fleet, call 01283 351200or email sales@cbvc.co.uk.
Photo credits. Main photo: Shutterstock; Sadiq Khan: Greater London Authority
