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Phase III of London’s LEZ proposed for 2012

London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced plans to introduce Phase III of the Low Emission Zone, which requires vehicles to meet Euro III standards for particulate emissions. It will affect vans exceeding 1.205 tonnes unladen weight, and is likely to affect those registered before January 1 2002.

“The Low Emission Zone is currently being effective in deterring the dirtiest and older heavy goods lorries, buses and coaches from driving on our streets,” Boris Johnson said. “Larger vans and minibuses will also have to meet emissions standards to avoid charges when driving in the Zone. But this will not be implemented until 2012 giving a reprieve to smaller businesses and the self-employed who would most be affected, and giving them extra time in tough economic conditions to get cleaner vehicles and avoid charges.”

Vans a growing target for thieves Van fleet managers have been warned by AVCIS, the police vehicle crime intelligence service, that light commercial vehicles are increasingly being targeted by thieves. Vans are targeted for a number of reasons, not least because they often have multiple drivers and there may be a lack of ‘ownership’ – in which case, keys are commonly left in vehicles or in easily-accessible places on sites and at depots. Many are cloned and sold on in the UK, while others are shipped abroad to other right-hand drive countries such as Cyprus.  Because of legislative changes there next year, which mean all foods must be carried in a refrigerated vehicles, AVCIS is preparing for an increase in thefts of such vans from businesses here. Another worrying trend all fleet managers must be aware of is bogus rental and lease companies established to provide criminals with access to ‘legitimate’ insured and taxed vehicles. According to the Finance and Leasing Association, the vehicles are obtained on finance – often fraudulently - and then sub-let on with insurance and tax already in place.  However, to give the ‘rental’ or ‘lease’ company legitimacy, some of the vehicles may be rented out to genuine innocent companies.  Fleet managers should be aware of the problem because these bogus companies may default on their payments to the finance company, in which case a genuine fleet may have its vehicle seized by the finance company.  “This type of sub-leasing is a growing trend,” said Paul Harrison, the FLA’s head of motor finance.  One criminal gang created a bogus lease company in the northwest of England and obtained 250 vehicles on finance.The Low Emission Zone affects older, diesel-engined lorries, buses, coaches, large vans (exceeding 1.205 tonnes unladen weight) and minibuses.  Cars, motorcycles and small vans (under 1.205 tonnes unladen weight) are exempt.  It also affects other specialist vehicles derived from lorries and vans, including motorised horse boxes, breakdown/recovery vehicles, extended-cab dual-purpose pick-ups and some light utility vehicles.

The new proposals are contained in 'Clearing the Air', which outlines the Mayor's draft air quality strategy and which has been sent for consultation with the London Assembly and organisations such as Transport for London, London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police.  A formal public consultation will take place early next year.

For operators with vans that are not compliant, there will be a charge of £100 per day to enter the Low Emission Zone around London – or a £500 penalty if the charge is not paid when the rules come into force.

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