Visit Our Brentwood Branch website
PM Health Problems
PM is strongly believed to contribute to health problems such as heart problems, asthma, lung disease as well as respiratory diseases. New rules and regulations will place more emphasis on the most polluting large vehicles like lorries, coaches and buses. Governments are trying to tackle these issues by introducing innovations such as exhaust filters and selective catalytic reduction.
Exhaust Filters and Required Certificates
Some vehicles registered after 1st October 2006 may have the necessary requirements and be unaffected by the change although emission limits will be stricter so it is worth checking on the status of your vehicle. An increase in the kinds of vehicle needing to meet standards is expected and will include things like vans, minibuses, motor caravans, utility vehicles, pickup trucks and horse boxes, utility vehicles. These additions were introduced gradually from 2008 in order to give people time to adjust.
Vehicles which fall short of the new criteria will need to have action taken such as fitting of an exhaust filter and relevant certification to show compliance obtained.
The Low Emission Zone runs 24 hours a day every day of the year and uses technology such as CCTV to match specification information with vehicle number plates on the schemes database and with sources including the DVLA.
More Types of Vehicle Liable for Charges
No longer thought of as a particularly commercial vehicle scheme, LEZ now brings into focus types of vehicle that may be operated or owned privately like:-
- Four wheel drive utility vehicles [with a weight of more than 1.205 tonnes when unladen]
- Pickup trucks [an unladen weight of more than 1.205 tonnes]
- Vans [with an unladen weight of more than 1.205 tonnes]
- Motor homes or caravans [with a gross weight of 2.5 tonnes]
- Minibuses [for 8 or more passengers]
- Ambulances [with a gross weight of over 2.5 tonnes]
Vehicle owners intending to use the Low Emission Zone after 3rd January 2012 would be wise to observe the new rules as daily charges will be steep. Depending on vehicle type, owners will usually pay between £100 and £200 and as days run from midnight to midnight it is possible to find yourself paying two daily charges.
Modified, Certified & Registered Vehicles
Vehicle owners should determine whether or not their vehicle needs to be modified, certified and registered with Transport for London [TfL] SAP as this process can sometimes take up to 3 months.
Vehicles will meet the new Euro 1V standards for Particulate Matter if :-
- They were newly registered on or after 1st October 2006
- They have had an approved full filter or converted to an approved gas engine fitted and received a LEC or RPC.
In this case you will not be liable to pay any charges when driving within the Low Emission Zone.
However you will need to take action if your vehicle or vehicles are to meet the new 2012 emissions standards, including :-
- Newly registered before 1st October 2006 vehicles
- Only a partial filter was fitted on receipt of a LEC or RPC
- You were issued with an LEC or RPC for an eligible engine [no longer acceptable]
- You hold a Low Emission Certificate with box 'M' ticked [indicating which particulate trap fitted or modification type used]
Low Emission Zone – Implications for Hire Companies
Motorists hiring self drive vehicles should enquire with their hire companies about the status of the hire vehicle which will prevent any risk of the hirer being charged.
Allied Self Drive Hire, Lakeside – Response to the 2010 London Emissions Zone (LEZ)
We ordered 2 Mercedes Atego 7.5t box tail lift trucks, to ensure our fleet of hire vehicles is fully compliant with the LEZ requirements.
Our policy since 2007 has been to purchase Mercedes Benz trucks. We have found that their performance and durability is ideal for the hire environment and they always retain a strong residual value. We also see that hire clients prefer the experience of driving the Mercedes truck. Mercedes and Ford both have good residual values, also a good dealer network, are low maintenance and high service intervals. These features are very attractive to Allied Self Drive Hire, Lakeside as we carry a large stock of hire trucks, minibuses, Lutons and transit vans.