Today, the Mayor of London and Transport for London have announced details on scrappage grants and exemption schemes following the disastrous decision to expand the ULEZ to cover all of outer of London - despite the consultation showing a majority oppose it. I am particularly aware that this expansion will be especially difficult given current cost of living pressures, and the grants announced will sadly be of little help to those who need to replace a car or vehicle that isn't compliant. I am pleased our Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, continues to explore ways to delay or block the use of Croydon's roads and utilities on this scheme, especially after Sadiq Khan was caught making false statements about ULEZ.
The scappage scheme has been designed to support Londoners on certain lower incomes, disabled Londoners, London-based charities, sole traders and business with 10 or fewer employees prepare for the expansion of Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide on 29 August this year. Successful applicants will receive funding to scrap or retrofit their old, polluting vehicle.
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-compliant cars or motorcycles.
Disabled people who want to scrap or retrofit a non-compliant wheelchair accessible vehicle will be able to apply for grants of £5,000 to reflect the higher cost of these vehicles. Disabled people can also apply for a nominated driver if they do not drive themselves. The nominated driver does not need to live at the same address as the applicant.
Charities, sole traders and business with 10 or fewer employees registered in London can apply to scrap a van (£5,000 grant) or a minibus (£7,000 grant), retrofit certain vans or minibuses (£5,000 grant) or scrap and replace a van or minibus with a fully electric vehicle (£7,500 or £9,500 grant respectively).
In addition to the scrappage scheme, further support will be provided 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 regardless of whether they live in London, and they will apply to the current ULEZ zone as well once approved.
Details on how to apply can be found on TfL's website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-expansion-2023
