London Postponing Enforcement of Stricter Rules for Freight Vehicles

Transport for London (TfL) is to temporarily postpone the enforcement of new stricter rules for freight vehicles, which were due to come into force from October 2020, under the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Direct Vision Standard, as disrupted supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic have made it more difficult for the new standards to be met on time. TfL has already temporarily suspended the current Low Emission Zone, Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) until further notice to help our critical workers get to work and for essential deliveries to take place. The Low Emission Zone, which covers most of Greater London, encourages the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in London to become cleaner by setting minimum standards for emissions. These standards will be tightened for buses, coaches and lorries in line with the tough requirements in place for the central London ULEZ. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has therefore asked TfL to delay enforcement of the new rules for at least four months to give the industry and fleet operators more time to adopt cleaner, safer vehicles. Although the new rules under both schemes will still legally come into force on 26 October, no charges will be payable or enforced for non-compliant vehicles under those new standards until the end of February 2021. The new date for the start of enforcement will be kept under review.