More than 300 signs are going up across London to warn drivers about April’s launch of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
The signs are being installed on all entry points to the zone and on a number of key approach routes. They mark the latest stage in a communications campaign by TfL, which has also seen it work with the BVRLA to highlight the need for fleet operators to start preparing for the zone now.
Research by Manheim parent firm Cox Automotive has suggested that 80% of vans are not compliant with the ULEZ. In response, the BVRLA has said that half (56%) of rental vans are already compliant and nearly all car club vans (96%) meet the standard.
TfL’s ULEZ communications campaign, in operation since the spring, has also seen it send more than 2.5 million emails and contact registered Congestion Charge users whose vehicles do not meet the ULEZ standards, in order to remind them the new zone begins on 8 April 2019. TfL is also contacting other drivers it identifies in central London whose vehicles are not currently ULEZ-compliant. This has helped encourage 1.3 million visits to TfL’s online compliance checker, where people can check if their vehicle complies with the ULEZ emission standards.
Speaking on the campaign, Toby Poston, director of communications and external affairs at the BVRLA, said: “TfL has an enormous task ahead of them to support the thousands of small businesses who rely on vans but will be caught out by the new Ultra-Low Emission Zone in a few months’ time. BVRLA members stand ready to help offer affected businesses affordable, compliant alternatives both through the provision of suitable hire, lease and car club van options as well as the de-fleeted vehicles they supply into the second-hand market. Our members offer some of the greenest vehicles on the road, with over half of rental vans already being compliant (56%) and nearly all car club vans meeting the standards (96%).
“The BVRLA will continue to work proactively with TfL to hone its communication plans and promote all of these possible solutions ahead of the roll out of the ULEZ next April.”
