From 3 January 2012 vehicles that are already affected by the LEZ – HGVs, buses and coaches – will have to meet a Euro IV standard for particulate matter (PM) to drive within Greater London without paying a £200 daily charge. A guide has been issued to inform operators of what they need to do to comply.

Also from this date, larger vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles will have to meet LEZ standards for the first time. These vehicles will have to meet a Euro 3 emissions standard for particulate matter (PM) in order to drive within Greater London without paying a £100 daily charge.

Whilst most vehicles set to be affected by the scheme are already compliant, for the minority that are not, the Mayor Boris Johnson, recently announced he has secured significant discounts off a range of new vans and minibuses in an unprecedented package of financial deals. Eighty per cent of vehicles affected by the LEZ for the first time in 2012 are vans and offers from manufacturers in some cases amount to thousands of pounds off a new vehicle.

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor’s environment director, said: “The Mayor is taking robust steps to deliver cleaner air and improve Londoners’ health. Changes to the Low Emission Zone in January are a key part of these plans.

“The vast majority of vehicles set to be affected by these new standards are already compliant. However, a small minority of drivers still need to take action to avoid fines. There is a range of options available to vehicle owners and as part of this, the Mayor has agreed deals with a number of vehicle manufacturers for discounts off new vehicles. However, some options to make vehicles compliant, such as fitting an approved filter, can take up to three months to complete, so I urge those who are affected to take action as soon as possible.”

There are a range of options available to vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles comply with the LEZ standards, including fitting an approved exhaust filter; purchasing a cleaner new or second hand vehicle; re-organising a fleet so that only vehicles which meet the required emissions standards drive within the LEZ; or leasing or renting a compliant vehicle.  Owners of vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards and have not paid a daily charge and drive within the LEZ risk a significant penalty charge.

Manufacturer discounts

Ashwoods: A substantial discount off any Ford Transit, Ford Transit Connect, or Ford Transit minibus.  All are fitted with Ashwoods’ proprietary EcoDrive technology, which reduces the vehicle’s fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent.  Furthermore, they also receive up to £500 cash back for trading in their non-compliant vehicle.

Citroën: A ‘Go Green & Clean Allowance’ of up to £3,500 towards a new Citroën LCV.

Fiat: a combination of VAT only deposit, coupled with a six-month payment holiday and a low rate (1.1% APR) of interest.  The deal applies to the following models: Fiorino; Doblo’ Cargo; Scudo; Ducato; Ducato Minibus.

Ford: Scrappage programme in which owners of vans that are ten, or more, years old will qualify for up to £3,000 off a new Ford van.  This scrappage scheme programme is available on Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Transit Connect and the iconic Ford Transit.

Mercedes-Benz: Van swappage scheme which is based around a weekly payment of £60, allowing operators to swap into a new Mercedes-Benz Vito.

Peugeot: Peugeot are offering, a customer who has been mailed by Transport for London a cash-back payment if they purchase and register a new Peugeot van. The payments are, Bipper £500, Partner £750, Expert £1500 and £2000 on Boxer.

Renault: offers as follows, depending on the model: up to £2,900 off the Kangoo Van range; up to £4,600 off the Trafic Van and Passenger range; up to £6,000 off the Master range.

Vauxhall: Vauxhall are offer savings of up to £7,500 with their Vauxhall swappage scheme across the Vauxhall Commercial vehicle range.

Volkswagen: Volkswagen Commercial will be offering a deposit contribution towards finance offers on new vehicles and preferential servicing packages for used vehicles.

Daily charge and penalty charges:
Owners of HGVs, buses and coaches that do not meet the required Euro IV for PM emissions standards by 3 January 2012, and who drive within Greater London will have to pay a £200 daily charge or risk a £1,000 penalty.  Lorries, buses and coaches registered as new on or after 1 October 2006 will already meet the LEZ standards from 2012.

Owners of larger vans and minibuses who do not comply with the new Euro 3 for PM emissions standards will have to pay a £100 daily charge or risk a £500 penalty if they drive within Greater London.  Vans and minibuses registered on or after 1 January 2002 will already meet the LEZ standards.
Source: The Argus

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A CCTV image has been released of the cheeky chauffeur who filled-up his vehicle and promised to return with the cash to pay. He obviously works for an unreliable limo firm, because he never turned-up!

He was white, 5ft 7ins tall, about 25 years old with short brown hair, and was wearing a white shirt, black trousers and shoes and a striped tie.

If you recognise the chauffeur who visited Tesco in Cleckheaton on August 2 at 9.30am, contact 01924 295357.
Source: The Argus

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Almost twenty vehicles were shortlisted for the competition and only three have been crowned the winners in separate categories.

Since 2005, Thechauffeur.com has set out to find the ultimate chauffeur vehicle for the industry and this year is no exception with all cars being judged for their suitability for the working chauffeur.

Editor, Paul Gibson commented; “The awards are getting more difficult every year to judge. There are so many good offers now and manufacturers are constantly battling against each other to offer more value for money.”

He added; “We have heavily concentrated on the offers available exclusively to the chauffeur industry – as thechauffeur.com has been campaigning since 2003 to get the market recognised.’

The winners of each section will be announced on 30th September 2011.

According to an online forum, companies throughout the country are experiencing an unusually early number of vehicle bookings compared to previous prom seasons. January through to April are traditionally the busiest times for bookings, as schools announce the dates for their events – but some operators were being booked-up as early as June this year.

Russ Jones from Lancashire Limousines told the chauffeur.com; “Although we only have about seven jobs booked in for the proms in 2012, it’s very unusual for this to happen so early. Prices for vehicles are being maintained as well, so I think if operators are keeping up with the trends, then they could be in for a very busy year.’

It seems as if the traditional stretched limousine is becoming less popular every year – as requests for something different to the norm is high on the school leavers lists. Wedding and novelty transport has become the new trend with limousine prices being charged, meaning greater profits for the operator.

Mr Jones added; “A few years ago, stretched limousines was the biggest part of our company, but that has changed very recently as customers continue to look for something a little bit different every year. Our classic replica vehicles and limo buses have overtaken the limousine – we’ve even seen operational fire engines and Police vehicles at recent proms!’

Operators battle every year to keep up with the demand for vehicles, especially when the Royal Ascot falls in the middle of the prom season. Dates for the Ascot event fall around a week later in 2012 – meaning operators may miss some key prom dates which are normally towards the end of June.