ULEZ TfL scrappage scheme: Expansion of support to all Londoners with non-compliant cars begins

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme is being expanded today, meaning all Londoners with non-compliant cars are now among those eligible for support.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, announced the extension to the scheme earlier this month. It followed a previous widening of the pool of eligible applicants in July, when all Londoners receiving child benefit and businesses with fewer than 50 employees were added to the list of those able to receive support.

Prior to that, eligibility was limited to those on certain disability and low income benefits, plus groups such as small businesses and charities.

The most recent expansion has been delivered in two parts; the first on August 4, and the second half today.

When announcing the changes to the scheme, Mr Khan said: “I have always said that expanding the ULEZ to the whole of London was a difficult decision, and not one I took lightly – but it’s a decision I remain committed to seeing through.

“I’m not prepared to step back, delay or water down vital green policies like ULEZ, which will not only save lives and protect children’s lungs by cleaning up our polluted air but help us to fight the climate crisis.”

What has the ULEZ scrappage scheme expansion involved?

The first batch of changes, made on August 4, were;

• Small businesses and charities with a non-compliant van will receive increased payments of £7,000 (up from £5,000),
• grants for wheelchair accessible vehicles will increase from £5,000 to £10,000,
• grants for scrapping minibuses will increase from £7,000 to £9,000,
• grants to replace a non-compliant van with electric van will increase from £7,500 to £9,500,
• grants to replace a non-compliant minibus with an electric minibus will increase from £9,500 to £11,500,
• and retrofit grants will increase from £5,000 to £6,000.

And then from today, August 21;

• Every Londoner with a non ULEZ-compliant car will be eligible for a £2,000 grant,
• small businesses and sole traders will be able to receive up to £21,000 in grants to scrap up to three vans,
• and charities will be able to receive up to £27,000 in grants to scrap up to three minibuses.

Commenting on the latest widening of the scheme, Mr Khan said: “The decision to expand the ULEZ London-wide was not an easy one for me to make, but it is necessary to reduce toxic air pollution, protect the health of Londoners and help tackle the climate emergency.

“I have continued to listen to the concerns of Londoners, and that’s why I’ve introduced the biggest vehicle scrappage scheme ever seen in the UK. Every single Londoner with a non-compliant car and motorbike is now eligible to get support. We are doing this without a penny of support from the government who have helped other cities around the country with their clean air zones.

“There’s still plenty of money available in the scrappage scheme and, with one week to go until the ULEZ is expanded, I am urging all Londoners with non-compliant vehicles to apply now.

“Currently 9 out of 10 cars seen driving in outer London are already compliant, but these grants will make a real difference to those drivers with non-compliant vehicles. Together we can help build a better, greener city for all Londoners.”

The announcement in early August came in the wake of Mr Khan being asked to “reflect” on the ULEZ expansion by the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, following the Conservatives holding Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the by-election.

The zone, which currently covers everything between the North and South Circular roads, is due to be extended to incorporate the whole of greater London on August 29.

From that date, all drivers of non-compliant vehicles in London will be liable to pay a £12.50 charge.