ULEZ Scrappage Scheme
Published 29th November 2023
Clean air zones have been introduced across the UK - and London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone – or ULEZ – Now covers all boroughs. It costs £12.50 a day for the most polluting vehicles. So if you rely on your vehicle for work, that can cost hundreds each month.
But luckily there is another solution. Your vehicle becomes trash. And you get the cash. Owners can scrap their non-compliant cars and apply for a £2000 grant towards a new motor. While Sole traders and businesses can get up to eleven and a half grand to scrap a van or minibus.
Great news for central heating engineer Kai, who lives in the newly expanded Zone. Transport For London told Kai he could get at least five thousand pounds scrappage for his old van. Thinking it was a done deal, Kai bought a new van in anticipation. TFL asked Kai to prove he was a sole trader, saying he could send a membership certificate of a “reputable trade or professional body”. He told us how his application went
“I sent them my Gas Safe certificate. The lady on the phone told me, it just wasn't on her list.” He said.
This meant his application was rejected, so Kai applied again, uploading new documents. When he hadn’t heard anything after 10 days, he gave TFL a call. He told us his application was rejected again.
“They couldn't tell me why it hadn't been processed.” He said.
“So I went for a third time around and that got rejected as well.” He added.
Kai then submitted his fourth application. And that was also rejected.
“The fourth reason for being rejected was that my mot expired during the process.” He said.
Meanwhile, in Hillingdon, another area now in the ULEZ , window and carpet cleaner Lee had been trying to scrap his diesel work car for two and a half months. On the first attempt, Lee was told he hadn’t sent all the pages of his vehicle registration document and so like Kai, had to start the whole application again. As he told us.
“The only page I hadn't sent was the third page. So I made sure that was included. they came back again saying that I didn't submit the first and the second page again.”
Lee’s now applied again, but in the meantime the £12.50 daily ULEZ charge means he can’t drive for work. And that is costing him business.
Matt Jaffa, from the Federation of Small Businesses has heard similar stories, as he told Watchdog.
“Some (sole traders) are not getting approved on the basis of one tiny error might be to do with their mot or insurance or another stipulation, and that's just not fair.”
TFL RESPONSE
“We apologise to any customer who has experienced distress when applying to our ULEZ scrappage fund. We regularly review our application process and always consider any further ways to streamline our handling of applications.
“We are working hard to ensure that every scrappage scheme application is responded to as quickly as possible. We aim to accept or decline scrappage applications within 10 working days and have a robust process in place to verify the documents we receive as part of our measures to guard against fraud. The application process can take longer if we need to undertake additional verification procedures, such as further checks to the required documents, or request additional documentation. The evidence requirements ensure the scheme is not subject to fraud and taxpayers' money is used in the best way.
“The aim of the ULEZ expansion is to improve air quality for 5 million people living in outer London. To support people and businesses affected, the Mayor has funded a £160m scrappage scheme that is open to all London residents with an eligible non-compliant car or motorcycle, as well as to London registered businesses with fewer than 50 employees, sole traders and charities with eligible non-compliant vans or minibuses. To date, more than 37,000 Londoners and London businesses and charities have had their applications for scrappage grants for the outer London expansion approved with more than £121m in funds committed so far, including more than £49m to scrap cars and motorcycles and more than £72m to scrap vans and minibuses.”
