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Fleet Drivers Beware of Future Legislative Changes
10 January 2019
The London Pollution Charge goes live in April 2019, with up to 2.5 million vehicles being affected. Charging £12.50, the ultra-low emission zone net will capture 60,000 vehicles a day and this charge is in addition to the £11.50 congestion charge which will continue to stand across London’s roads. OUCH!
So, some 1.5 million diesel cars registered before 2016, 500,000 petrol cars registered before 2006, 400,000 vans, 55,000 HGVs and coaches will be targets to lower the overall pollution levels and improve the flow of traffic within Central London. The zone will be restricted to the current congestion zone for now but will spread out by 2021 to the north and south circular.
It will be interesting to see whether this new zone charge will encourage fleet operators to update their vehicles, which is presumably the intention. Cynics have suggested that like the congestion charge this is a revenue raising manoeuvre. The current evidence around city pollution and the effect on residents is surely something that cannot be ignored. From a global perspective, it’s a drop in the ocean. Tax has been used to influence our driving choices before, which is how we ended up with so many diesel vehicles in the first place.
If you are interested in the environmental direction of traffic debate, at Marshall Leasing we can engage in the discussion and help you navigate the fast changing landscape.
Ask for Julie Irons or Joe Steiner on 01480 414541, and we’d be more than happy to assist you.
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