The London  LEZ covers all London boroughs and applies a Euro 3 standard to buses, coaches and goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Vehicles that do not meet the standard have to pay a daily charge. The scheme will be tightened to Euro 4 and extended to light goods vehicles and minibuses in January 2012.

Extracted from Freight Magazine

Euro-3: the European emissions standards for diesel vehicles, which came into force in 2000-2001.

Euro-4:the European emissions standards for diesel vehicles, which came into force in 2005-2006.

GVW: Gross vehicle weight, usually defined in kilograms (kg) or tonnes; 1 tonne=1,000 kg.

LEC: Low Emission Certificate

PM: Particulate matter – the component of diesel exhaust thought to be most responsible for respiratory problem. PM10 are particles up to 10 micrometres

RPC: Reduced Pollution Certificate

Extracted from Commercial Motor

Many truck operators are oblivious of the major change to  the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) emissions limits that comes into force on 3rd January 2012, and which could have significant consequences for their operations. From that day, trucks with particulate matter emissions that do not comply with a minimum of Euro-4 levels will be charged £200 a day to enter LEZ, broadly defined as inside the M25. This means that truck with Euro-3 (or older) emission levels will not comply unless they are fitted with an appropriate particulate trap. These are likely to cost between £3,000 and £5,000 depending on model, but do not improve emissions of other pollutants such as NOX or CO2.

CAP’s advice to operators and dealers alike is to visit then Transport for London website, view the information and then examine vehicle replacement cycles and act accordingly.

Extracted from Commercial Motor.