TfL rules out exemption for LPG vehicles in Ultra Low Emission Zone
A loophole that would have allowed classic cars running on liquefied petroleum gas to enter the capital’s proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from 2020 has been closed by Transport for London.
TfL states that having a car modified to run on LPG won’t change the status of the vehicle, as running a vehicle on LPG won’t reduce emissions, despite the fact LPG registered cars are allowed into the London Congestion Zone.
The ULEZ has been proposed by London Mayor Boris Johnson to reduce air. Although still under consultation it would see only zero or low emission vehicles allowed into the zone during a period still to be decided. Discussions on how an ULEZ will operate are still ongoing, following the end of a public consultation last month. Revisions to bus, taxi and private hire vehicle licensing requirements are also proposed for central London.
David Jones, chairman of the National Association of Wedding Cars said: ‘Some of our members suggested maybe we could avoid charges if we changed to LPG. Although the question was a bit tongue in cheek, we asked it anyway, and got the response that no classics converted to run on LPG would get an exemption.’
Oliver Lord, principal policy adviser for planning at Transport for London said: ‘ULEZ requirements are based upon the Type Approval status of the vehicle (i.e. the Euro standard). An aftermarket LPG conversion does not change the type-approval status of the vehicle.
‘While an LPG converted petrol vehicle may have lower emissions than a similar diesel-engine vehicle, these are typically higher than pre-conversion petrol vehicle, so there is no air-quality benefit from these vehicles over that of a three-way catalyst equipped petrol engine.’
Rob Shuttleworth, chief executive of UKLPG, the trade association for the LPG industry said: ‘UKLPG is gravely disappointed that the benefits LPG fuelled cars could bring to improve air quality in London are not being realised as a result of there being no provision for converted LPG autogas vehicles.’ Murray Scullion