London’s small businesses & charities allocated nearly £18m so far from scrappage scheme ahead of ULEZ expansion

Since the end of January, the Vehicle Vandalism Scheme has committed nearly £18m to low-income and disabled Londoners, small businesses and charities to help them take some of the most polluting vehicles off London’s roads.

While £13.5m has been earmarked for drivers of vans and minibuses, the majority of which will help small businesses, more than £4m has been earmarked for Londoners who own non-compliant cars and motorbikes.

Overall, 4,833 applications have been approved through the scheme, with £17,727,500 committed to date.

Based on the previous charts, there is usually an increase in applications that are getting close to implementation. With just over four months to go until the ULEZ expansion, there are still tens of millions of pounds left in the scrap bin and TfL continues to advise drivers to check their vehicle compliance and make the most of the Mayor’s scrap scheme.

Drivers have been heeding TfL advice to check their vehicle compliance, with more than 8 million visits to the TfL’s vehicle auditor since the mayor confirmed the ULEZ would expand. Since most gasoline vehicles under 16 years of age and diesel vehicles less than six years old already meet emissions standards, many drivers have discovered that their vehicles are ULEZ compliant.

The £110m scrapping scheme has been launched to support small businesses, sole traders, charities, low-income Londoners and disabled Londoners in replacing their oldest and most polluting cars with greener options. The scheme helps Londoners on low incomes or receiving disability benefits scrap cars and motorbikes, and helps sole tradesmen, small businesses or charities scrap or retrofit trucks and minibuses.

More Londoners may be eligible for the scheme based on their income than they realize. Eligibility can vary depending on personal circumstances, such as whether they live alone or have children, but regardless, eligibility is more likely for those who rent their home.

Analysis shows that many people could qualify for Scrappage who are not aware of it, and TfL urges everyone to check the TfL website to see if they can access the scheme.

ULEZs across London are vital to addressing the triple challenges of air pollution, the climate emergency and congestion. TfL’s latest data shows that 90 per cent of cars seen driving outside London on an average day actually meet the criteria. This is expected to be higher when the plan goes live later this year.

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Shirley Rodrigues said: “Around 4,000 Londoners die each year as a result of our poor air quality, and this contributes to a range of serious health conditions from asthma, cancer and dementia.

“While nine out of every 10 cars seen driving around outside London every day are already ULEZ compliant, I am delighted that thousands of owners of non-compliant vehicles have already applied to our scrapping scheme.

“My message to Londoners today is that there is plenty of funding still available and you might be entitled to get on the recycling scheme and not realize it. So I urge people to get online today and see if they too can be eligible for thousands of pounds to get rid of their polluting car “.

Cristina Calderato, Director of Strategy and Policy at TfL, said: “It’s great to see that legacy liquidation grants are already playing an important role in supporting small businesses, low-income and disabled people and charities prepare for expansion.

“While the vast majority of cars driven outside London on a normal day are compliant, I would urge drivers to use our vehicle checker and if they have a non-compliant car, check their eligibility for a scrapping scheme to help them switch to greener and cleaner travel.”

Alex Achilleos, Managing Director of Inside Out Eventz Ltd based in the London Borough of Enfield, said: “We provide catering services for weddings, events and corporate events. Our trucks are a vital tool in helping us get ingredients and supplies along with moving our food and equipment on time for a smooth event. The scrapping scheme has enabled us to take one of our older, polluting trucks off the road and purchase one that meets ULEZ standards. As a family business, we are delighted to be able to contribute to the measures being taken to clean up the toxic air in the capital and protect the health of future generations.”

Tuan Pham, director of the Samuel Montagu Youth Center based in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “We provide vital services for young people in Kidbrooke and around London. Our center assists people who may be at risk of being excluded from school or lacking opportunities to reach their full potential. We give young people confidence through a wide range of sports programmes, including boxing sessions. We use a minibus to transport those who use our center to various matches and sporting events. The scrapping scheme allowed us to get our car off the road and cashed in on a car that met the standards. Our work is focused on preparing people for the future, so we are delighted to be able to make this contribution to improving the environment.”

The £110m scrap scheme builds on the previous £61m scrap scheme which helped remove more than 15,200 of the oldest and most polluting vehicles in London. An evaluation survey of the scrap car and motorcycle scheme showed that it was effective in reducing vehicle ownership, with a third of participants not purchasing a replacement vehicle. The previous Scrubage scheme also helped increase the use of public transport, with respondents reporting a decrease in car travel and an increase in walking, cycling and using public transport.

Whilst there are many compliant vans on the market, owners of non-compliant vans and wheelchair accessible vehicles do not need to purchase a new van and may be eligible for a £5,000 grant to retrofit their vehicle to standard. This will ensure that more sole traders, small businesses, charities and disabled Londoners can use less polluting vehicles and fewer vans should be scrapped. All vehicles scrapped through the scheme are required to have a target for recycling and recovery of at least 95 per cent, and are likely to be at the end of their working lives as newer vehicles will have more resale value.

In addition to offering a grant for scrapping or retrofitting a contaminated vehicle, individuals can choose to receive up to two bus and tram tickets per year plus a lower grant for a higher value package. The scheme also provides access to a range of exclusive offers and offers for Londoners who are not eligible for the programme. TfL has secured a range of great deals that can help you save money and use greener and cleaner transportation. Money can be saved on things like rental and subscription services for bicycles, e-bikes, cargo bikes, and e-scooters, and discounts on motor clubs.