Operators to ‘replace’ not ‘retrofit’ as LEZ changes the rules
27th September 2011
Truck and van operators faced with new London Low Emission Zone requirements are more likely to replace their non-compliant vehicles than retrofit them, a survey by the Freight Transport Association has found.
Commercial vehicle operators also indicated that they would consider redistributing vehicles that are already compliant to perform deliveries in the LEZ, and vice versa. Four out of five van operators felt it would be possible to redistribute non-compliant vehicles away from London, for example.
“More operators are looking to replace their fleet and looking past retrofit
ting as the solution because their fleets are coming to the end of their lifespan,” said Natalie Chapman, the FTA's head of policy for London. “Due to the financial constraints of recent years operators have chosen to stretch the lives of their existing fleets, but the new LEZ requirements may have forced their hands into replacing their oldest and least compliant vehicles.”
As well as a tightening up of LEZ regulations for trucks, for the first time vans will also be affected. However, the van sector seems well prepared, Natalie Chapman believes. “While 45% of respondents reported that not all their HGV fleets operating in London were fully compliant with the new standards, only 10% said the same of their van fleets,” she said.