Martyn Knowles, Editor
Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @ Car Mechanics Order back issues here: shop.kelsey.co.uk/single-issue/car-mechanics-magazine
The London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is now over a month in operation. It covers a vast area nearly out to the M25 in all directions from the city centre. We were told that just 10% of the cars checked prior to ULEZ going ‘live’ weren’t compliant (Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel are OK) so all is well for most of us. Wrong! That info didn’t consider vans – or those living outside the zone that need to come in daily (or for other reasons).
To back that up, the amount of ULEZ cameras that Transport for London (TfL) have erected is unbelievable. Nearly 3000 I predict will be operational. However, there has been much backlash against ULEZ. Around 1000 cameras thus far damaged – actual traffic lights with ULEZ cameras attached have been chopped down.
The cameras can’t be everywhere though and locals wanting to avoid them to go to the local supermarket can do by knowing where they are located. However, TfL have thought about that and rent 26 Chinese-made EV vans (made by SAIC Motor) to patrol the borders. These vans are in operation for around 12hrs a day, seven days a week, employing one person to sit in the van, with a couple of ‘heavies’ in support cars (Peugeot 208s) looking after a group of vans in the vicinity. The person sitting in the van isn’t insured to drive the EV, just there to record anyone that gets too close. Peaceful demonstrations are taking place at the location of many of these EV vans with some members of the public dressing up in costume – adinosaur is the best I’ve seen. Home-made banners block the roof-top camera so they can’t catch passing non-compliant vehicles. Some of these EV vans have been vandalised too – smashed windscreens, sprayed with paint/expanding foam and slashed/deflated tyres. Replacing damaged cameras and fixing vans is ongoing and must be costing TfL much more than they anticipated.
If you do have a non-compliant vehicle, you can pay the £12.50 daily charge. To do this efficiently, it’s best to setup TfL’s Auto Pay service. It will take your £12.50 each time your numberplate is spotted in the zone. Great if it works, but some motorists have been charged £12.50 when they hadn’t driven within the zone due to the camera getting confused with another numbe
