The five-year programme is set to work across the industry to increase the availability and uptake of low emission vans and lorries. It will bring together freight and fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, fuel providers and the public sector. It will create new environmental operating standards and contractual clauses for procurement bodies to easily adopt. LoCITY will also aim to demonstrate, through research and real world trials, that using these cleaner vehicles will not negatively impact operations.
Mike Brown MVO, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “Over the next five years LoCITY will begin improving London's air quality by encouraging the take up of low emission vehicles. We're working with vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers and the industry to make these vehicles a realistic choice for operators. Together we can improve London's air quality, and by supporting the freight sector – which is essential for our city to function – we will have a real impact.
“The Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) programme has shown this style of collaborative industry-led approach works – many lorries of the highest safety standards are now in use. LoCITY will help the industry as a whole continue to develop, whilst delivering a cleaner London.”
Commeting on the scheme, Boris Johnson MP, said: “LoCITY will form part of a series of strong measures I'm delivering to tackle air quality and safe guard the health and well-being of Londoners, but I'm fully aware much more needs to be done. Helping the freight industry is key to the success of the Ultra Low Emission Zone. I am confident that the strict tightening of our emission standards will help dramatically improve air quality and lower NO2 across the city.”
LoCITY will have three workstreams focusing on:
- Increasing the availability and affordability of low emission vans and lorries
- Improving the alternative fuel infrastructure, such as electric charging points and the use of hydrogen fuel
- Improving policies, procurement and land use planning to increase the use and viability of low emission vans and lorries
LoCITY will support the Mayor of London's focus on improving air quality, and assist in efforts to increase the use of ultra-low emission vehicles in London.
The world's first Ultra Low Emission Zone will come into force in London in 2020 and is expected to almost halve emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10) from vehicle exhausts in central London.