'Sure-fire way to avoid charges' can see drivers escape daily Ulez fines before expansion
The Ulez will expand again on August 29
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It was announced last week that London Mayor Sadiq Khan would be improving the scrappage scheme designed to aid drivers adapt to the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion later this month.
This will allow all motorists living in London who own a non-compliant vehicle the chance to apply for a £2,000 grant to ditch their more polluting vehicles for newer cars.
Businesses have also been handed a lifeline with scrappage payments for vans increasing from £5,000 to £7,000.
Small businesses and sole traders can scrap three vans or minibuses for £6,000, up from £5,000.
Sadiq Khan said he would not "water down" any Ulez plans
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The £50million boost to the scrappage scheme has been met with mixed responses after the Ulez expansion was blamed for Labour’s failure to win the Uxbridge byelection last month.
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, spoke of a “sure-fire way” to avoid Ulez charges with the expansion less than a month away.
He said: “With the Ulez zone set to expand to Greater London in August, drivers will need to be extra cautious to avoid additional charges when driving in and around London.
“Our research shows that almost half of drivers (47.7 per cent) want to be more eco-friendly and switch to an EV but think they are too expensive.”
Drivers who want to drive in London without paying the daily £12.50 fee will need to ensure their vehicles are compliant with the stringent Ulez emissions standards.
Mr Evans continued, saying: “The extension of the scrappage scheme will mean all those living in London will have the opportunity to trade in their vehicle for a greener alternative.
“By switching to an EV, drivers can benefit from free entry to Ulez zones and can apply for grants of up to £350 towards home charging.
“Whilst switching to an electric car is a sure-fire way to avoid charges, there are many non-electric vehicles that remain exempt from the congestion charge.”
Generally, petrol vehicles which were first registered with the DVLA after 2005 are compliant, although cars that meet the standards have been available since 2001.
According to Transport for London, diesel cars that meet standards are those first registered after September 2015.
Motorists are urged to make sure their vehicles are compliant before they enter the zone, which will expand on August 29.
Anyone who fails to pay the initial daily charge for the Ulez will be fined £180, although this does get lowered to £90 if paid within 14 days.
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The Ulez will expand across Greater London
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Data from Transport for London found that drivers were fined £73.3million last year for not paying the daily charge for a non-compliant vehicle.