FTA alarmed by ULEZ early launch
The FTA has said it is concerned about the Mayor of London’s decision to introduce the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) 17 months earlier than originally planned.
The ULEZ will now come into force in April 2019. The association said that the short timeframe to its introduction will leave “operators with vehicles they cannot use, with massively reduced or no residual value for resale.”
“We are all in favour of taking every step possible to clean up London’s air, but the Mayor of London has failed to take into account the time needed for businesses to comply with these new regulations, without incurring significant costs that could put real strain on overheads and business security,” said Natalie Chapman, head of policy for London, FTA.
“For HGV operators, there is also a distinct lack of clarity over which vehicles will comply with the new Direct Vision Standard, due to come into effect in 2020, which is holding back fleet replacement planning.”
She said that, in addition, by April 2019 there will be only two and a half years’ production of vans available for operators to purchases.