Khan offers money for car upgrades to avoid Ulez's indictment

Oulez expansion protesters in front of the High Court in central London Photo: Typhoon Salci/Zuma Press/eevine

Negative reaction to the London Zone expansion Ultra Low Emissions (Ulez) forced Sadiq Khan to offer people cash to upgrade their old cars so they can avoid having to pay for them.

The Labor mayor of the capital has confirmed that he is offering £2,000 to Londoners with the most polluting cars to buy new Ulez-compliant, eco-friendly models on a first-come, first-served basis.

This comes after a few weeks increased pressure from his party to think about Ulez after he was accused of Labor's failure to win by-elections in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Mr Khan won a High Court battle against five anti-Ules councils who tried to stop the rollout but Sir Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, said: 'I'm working with him and asking him to consider whether we can do more into this scheme. to help people.»

An additional £50m will be added to Ulez's £110m recycling bank, with more generous support for small businesses, charities and people with disabilities.

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When Ulez expands to cover all 32 London boroughs on 29 August, people whose cars do not meet Euro 4 emission standards will have to pay a daily driving fee of £12.50. Most petrol cars under 16 years old or diesel cars under six years old meet emission standards according to Transport for London.

ULEZ London Expansion Plan

Commenting on the £160 million new recycling scheme, Mr Khan said: “I am not ready to back down, delay or mitigate vital environmental measures like Ulez which will not only save lives and protect children’s lungs by cleaning our polluted air but and help us fight the climate crisis.

“In recent months, I have continued to listen to the concerns of Londoners and today I am able to announce a significant expansion of the scrappage scheme, which means that all Londoners with cars that do not meet the requirements Ulez, will now be able to receive financial support for the transition to more environmentally friendly and less polluting cars.

“As we continue to build a greener, healthier London for all, I am confident that no Londoner or London business will be left behind.”

Despite giving away £2,000, the money is still intended to only cover a fraction of the cost of an eligible car. A study by Auto Trader last week found that car buyers paid £3,000 more for Ulez-compliant vehicles compared to identical non-compliant models.

Grants for businesses and charities have also become more generous, with small businesses now able to access £7,000 to scrap their cars — up from £5,000. Charities can provide payouts of £9,000 per vehicle instead of £7,000, and grants for wheelchair-accessible vehicles will increase from £5,000 to £10,000.

Both small businesses and charities will now also be able to claim three cars, rather than just one under the existing scheme.

Ulez car graphics

Susan Hall, the Conservative mayoral candidate for London, said this «too little, too late by Sadiq Khan, who is in danger of rising pressure from Londoners and his own party.»

She added: «Thousands of families, small businesses and charities will face financial ruin due to Ulez Sadiq Khan expansion that will do little to improve air quality.”

Last month, Mr Khan opened the scheme to all Londoners who receive child support and capital-based businesses with fewer than 50 employees — as opposed to 10 or fewer — after Abena Oppong- Asare and Ellie Reeves, both London Labor MPs, demanded an extension.