The Mayor of London has launched a new vehicle scrappage scheme to help disabled Londoners, people on low income, businesses and charities in preparation for the ULEZ expansion.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) helps to clean London’s air. Vehicles that don’t meet ULEZ emission standards that travel within the ULEZ pay a £12.50 daily charge. You do not pay the ULEZ charge if you are parked inside the zone but don’t drive. Most petrol vehicles under 16 years old or diesel vehicles under six years old already meet the ULEZ emissions standards; you can check your vehicle here – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
ULEZ is expanding across all London boroughs, including the Royal Borough of Kingston, from 29 August 2023.
The Mayor of London has announced a new vehicle scrappage scheme to help disabled Londoners, people on low income, businesses and charities.
Londoners receiving certain means-tested benefits and non-means-tested disability benefits can apply for cash grants of up to £2,000 to scrap their non ULEZ-compliant cars or motorcycles, as well as bus and tram passes.
Disabled people who want to scrap or retrofit a non-compliant wheelchair-accessible vehicle can apply for grants of £5,000 to reflect the higher cost of these vehicles. Disabled people can also apply for a nominated driver who lives at a different address if they do not drive themselves.
In addition to the scrappage scheme, the Mayor is providing further support for disabled people through new and extended grace periods. The two new grace periods provide exemptions until October 2027 for recipients of certain disability benefits (or their nominated driver) and for all wheelchair-accessible vehicles and some vehicles with other adaptations. The grace periods are available to all eligible people or a nominated driver regardless of whether they live in London, and they will also apply to the current ULEZ zone. The new disabled benefits grace period means that anyone who receives benefits that automatically make them eligible for a blue badge will also qualify for the new grace period.
Already around 94% of vehicles driving in inner and central London and 85% of vehicles seen driving in outer London meet ULEZ standards, meaning most drivers will not need to pay. The new scrappage scheme and grace periods will help drivers of the remaining non-compliant vehicles prepare.
To learn more and apply to the scrappage scheme, visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/scrappage-schemes
To apply for the grace period, visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions
