ULEZ Scrappage Scheme to End, Mayor Announces
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the ULEZ Scrappage Scheme will be coming to an end at 23:59 on Saturday 7 September 2024. The Ultra Low Emission Zone was first launched in London in 2019, initially covering the same zone as the Congestion Charge zone. In 2021, Khan announced that it would be expanding to cover the area within the North and South Circular roads. In 2023, the zone was expanded again to cover the entirety of Great London and affecting all 9 million London residents. For those who's cars do not meet the standard, there is a daily charge of £12.50 (for a car).
ULEZ itself has been very controversial amongst Londoners and those in the surround counties. Whilst some praised the efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in London and the improvement in air quality, many others saw the ULEZ as a tax on drivers and an attack on the poorer residents. After all, it is typically those of lower socioeconomic class that would have an older car that would not meet the standard. This anger has seen vigilante groups, such as the so-called "Bladerunners", attacking and destroying ULEZ cameras across London, and broadcasting their efforts on social media.
The ULEZ Scrappage Scheme
Following the expansion of ULEZ to all of London, the Mayor announced a scrappage scheme that would allow drivers of older, polluting vehicles to apply for a grant towards a new car by scrapping their old one. The scheme went live in January 2023 ahead of the expansion going live in August 2023. Car drivers were offered £2,000, motorbikes £1,000 and slightly more available for vans and minibuses etc. Khan set aside around £210m for the scheme.
So far, over £186m has been given out in grants for approximately 56,000 vehicles. The Mayor has urged others with non-compliant vehicles to get applications in before the closing date to make use of the remaining £24m. Nearly all of the vehicles that were exchanged for the grant have been scrapped. However, since March this year, drivers have had the option to donate their vehicle to the British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA) charity. This charity arranges for vehicles to be provided to Ukraine to support the efforts going on over there. Drivers who donate their vehicle still receive the full grant and, so far, approximately 330 vehicles have been donated to BUA.
Khan has been quoted as saying in the Evening Stanard: “I am proud that the scrappage scheme - the biggest in the UK - has supported so many Londoners to switch to cleaner, greener vehicles. ULEZ compliance [of vehicles seen driving in London on an average day] has now reached more than 96 per cent, bringing cleaner air to millions of Londoners."
Data published by Transport for London (TfL) on the applications they have received for scrappage scheme show that:
- 60% (approx 82,000) applicants were refused due to the vehicles not meeting the eligibility criteria
- Of the 54,000 approved applications: 36,000 were for cars/motorbikes and 18,000 for vans/minibuses
- ULEZ compliance has now reached around 96%
How To Apply
If your vehicle does not meet the standard, you can find out more information on the TfL website. You can check your vehicle's eligibility and find out more information about how the scheme works, including if you wish to donate your vehicle to the BUA.
Leasing and ULEZ
Remember, all vehicles that are leased with Pendle Lease are brand new, therefore they are all ULEZ compliant. If you have scrapped your vehicle, received your grant and would like to know more about leasing, simply speak to a member of our friendly team!
