Sadiq Khan’s Ulez scrappage scheme hailed as 'major victory' but only half of drivers got payouts
The scrappage scheme approved more than 53,000 applications
PA
Sadiq Khan’s Ulez scrappage scheme has been praised by experts as supporting drivers switching to electric vehicles, despite thousands of drivers still stuck with non-compliant cars.
The scheme ended on September 8, having approved only 54,000 applications resulting in drivers getting a payout for their polluting petrol and diesel vehicles, out of 134,500 applications.
Under the scrappage scheme drivers must live in a London borough to benefit from the funds and be the registered keeper of the vehicle they applied for.
Drivers could also apply for a grant for cars, motorcycles, including mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles or wheelchair accessible vehicles, cars and vans.
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Petrol and diesel drivers could receive up to £2,000 for a their vehicle
PAKarim Fatehi MBE, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said:"The end of the Ulez scrappage scheme marks a significant milestone for London.
“Small businesses have been able to buy or retrofit their vehicles thanks to this scheme which was essential during the cost of living crisis.”
It is estimated that more than 96 per cent of vehicles on London's roads now meet emissions standards, as Sadiq Khan aims to make the capital a cleaner city.
Fatehi added: “This is a major victory for both air quality and the local economy. In the coming months, we will closely monitor any developments across the city and actively engage with our members to address any challenges they may face.”
However, the scheme had been met with mixed views from drivers with some arguing it “worked well” and others flagging how disastrous it was.
One person shared: “The scheme is working. It's not hard to understand. There would also be more funds available if vandals weren't destroying cameras left right and centre.”
However, another person claimed: “How can it run out when they make millions every week in penalties!!! Where is all the money going????”
Another motorist stated that because 96 per cent of cars in London are Ulez compliant “the scrappage scheme is redundant anyway now”.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told GB News: “This number includes applications with errors, those that have been rejected due to ineligibility, and people applying more than once.
“TfL are working hard to ensure every application is responded to as quickly as possible. The Mayor’s scrappage scheme – the biggest scheme of its kind in the UK – has had huge take-up, removing thousands of old, polluting vehicles from London’s roads.”
The scheme was funded by £210million made available by Transport for London with the money also being used to send non-compliant vehicles to Ukraine.
The Mayor said at the time: "I have worked quickly to amend our scrappage scheme so that non-compliant vehicles can be donated to Ukraine, helping to meet medical and humanitarian needs while also removing old, polluting vehicles from London’s roads."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The scrappage scheme ended on September 8
PAThe scrappage scheme was opened in January 2023 and was expanded to cover all Londoners in the capital ahead of the launch of the London-wide Ulez.