Mayor of London launches £110m scrappage scheme for non-ULEZ compliant vehicles

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today launched a £110m scrappage scheme for Londoners to scrap their non-ULEZ vehicles amid controversy over the policy.

The mayor has met fierce resistance to his Ultra Low Emission Zone plan, which will see some drivers with higher emissions paying £12.50 per day in London, as several councils have said they will not let him install cameras in their borough.

The scrappage scheme will support Londoners on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, charities, sole traders and business with 10 or fewer employees to replace or retrofit their old, polluting vehicles.

To accompany the scrappage scheme, the mayor and TfL are offering support offers from businesses, which will provide discounts on subscriptions, rentals and purchases of bicycles, e-bikes, cargo bikes, cars and vans.

It follows the Mayor’s decision to make ULEZ London-wide in August this year.

The mayor’s office said about 94 per cent of vehicles seen driving in inner and central London and 85 per cent of vehicles seen driving in outer London meet ULEZ standards.

The new scrappage scheme and grace periods will help drivers of the remaining non-compliant vehicles prepare for the new scheme.

Londoners receiving certain benefits and disability benefits can apply for cash grants of up to £2,000 to scrap their non-compliant cars or motorcycles.

As a new feature, successful applicants can choose to receive a higher value package comprised of up to two free annual bus and tram passes and a lower cash grant.

Disabled people who want to scrap or retrofit a non-compliant wheelchair accessible vehicle will be able to apply for grants of £5,000 to reflect the higher cost of these vehicles.

Disabled people can also apply for a nominated driver who lives at a different address if they do not drive themselves.

Charities, sole traders and business with 10 or fewer employees registered in London can apply to scrap a van for a £5,000 grant or a minibus for a £7,000 grant, or scrap and replace a van or minibus with a fully electric vehicle for a £7,500 or £9,500 grant respectively.

Mr Khan said:“I took the difficult decision to expand the ULEZ because it will save lives, help tackle the climate crisis and reduce congestion.

“We have made huge progress in central and inner London but there is much more to do in outer London.

“We need to get the most highly polluting vehicles off our roads, which are damaging the health of all Londoners, including drivers.

“The rising cost of living has been a key consideration for me, which is why we are launching this new and improved scrappage scheme – the biggest ever – to help low-income and disabled Londoners, businesses, sole traders and charities switch to cleaner vehicles, or support them to make the most of other transport options.”

Pictured top: ULEZ sign (Picture: James Mayer)