9:00 am, February 15, 2019
BCA is to hold a special Ultra Low Emission Zone sale at its Blackbushe centre next month in partnership with Transport for London.
The multi-vendor event will focus on LCVs and only feature Euro 6-compliant or electric/hybrid vehicles that can enter the soon-to-be-launched zone (ULEZ) without having to pay a fee.
More than 200 vehicles will be on offer on March 12 in a variety of configurations, including LWB, MWB and car-derived vans.
The world’s first ULEZ launches in London on April 8 and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The regulations will replace the T-Charge and aim to tighten standards, improve air quality and deter the most-polluting vehicles from entering the zone. It is expected the new regulations will affect up to 60,000 vehicles a day.
There will be two ULEZ charge levels: £12.50 a day for cars, vans and motorbikes, and £100 a day for HGVs, buses and coaches. The charges will be in addition to the congestion charge, meaning that during congestion charge hours higher-polluting cars and vans will pay £24 per day and HGVs will pay £111.50 a day.
Any vehicle not meeting the Euro 6 standard for diesel cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles will be liable for the charge.
Jon Gilbert, BCA’s business development director for commercial vehicles, said: ‘This unique event in partnership with TfL aims to provide LCV operators with the vehicles they need to manage the changes from the introduction of the ULEZ zone. The sale will feature a wide variety of vehicles to meet a diverse range of requirements.
‘BCA’s scale in delivering the largest LCV remarketing programme in the country provides an excellent platform for TfL to spread the message regarding ULEZ. Research shows that nearly a third of all operators entering the zone are either not aware of its implementation or unprepared for the launch. We are delighted that TfL will be on site to advise operators about the changes.’
Road transport emissions in central London are expected to reduce by an additional 20 per cent in 2019 as a result of the zone, while NOx emissions from HGVs are expected to decrease by nearly 50 per cent. Emissions from cars and vans are expected to reduce by eight and 12 per cent respectively.
Alex Williams, Transport for London’s director of city planning, said: ‘Air pollution is a public health crisis and we are committed to tackling it. It is great to see that BCA are helping businesses to prepare for the arrival of the Ultra Low Emission Zone by selling and encouraging upgrades to Euro 6 or electric vehicles in advance of the start date.
‘We are working hard with the business community to support their ULEZ preparations and many businesses are already making the move to comply with ULEZ. We have directly contacted more than 3,000 micro businesses to advise them of their options and are working with London’s business groups to reach thousands more.
‘We are also finalising a £23m van scrappage scheme, which will help micro businesses replace their polluting vans with new cleaner ones.’
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