What Impact the London ULEZ Expansion Will Have on Courier Drivers?
At Rapid we want our customers to know what impact the London ULEZ expansion will have on courier drivers. Did you know that the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is expanding across all 33 London boroughs from Tuesday 29th August? This expansion is likely to have a significant financial impact on courier drivers, who rely on older, less eco-friendly vehicles to make a living. The goal of the expansion is to reduce:
- Noise levels
- Congestion
- Carbon emissions
- Ammonia emissions
- PM10 and PM2.5 particles
All of which should benefit Londoners in the long term. Unfortunately, many drivers may be unable to make the switch to greener vehicles. In turn, this could lead to job losses in the delivery driver sector. Rapid Vehicle Management understands how important it is to stay on the road when driving a van is your livelihood. As a courier driver, you will need to be prepared for the expansion, so we have provided the below points for your consideration.
What is the London ULEZ Expansion?
Firstly, the ULEZ is an environmental initiative introduced by Mayor Sadiq Khan. It aims to improve air quality in London and surrounding areas. Secondly, the initiative looks to remove older, high-polluting vehicles from London roads. Therefore, vehicles must comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard. Finally, the ULEZ charge is meant to motivate drivers to select more environmentally sustainable vehicles. Creating a cleaner and healthier city will also help to protect the health of citizens, wildlife, and vegetation.
How will the ULEZ London Expansion affect me?
In 2023, all drivers within the ULEZ will be required to pay a daily charge. This can only be avoided if your vehicle is emissions-compliant. Drivers could potentially face a daily charge of £12.50. This daily charge runs from midnight to midnight. This is in addition to Congestion Charges that may also apply during your journey. Fortunately, the £10 annual fee to register a vehicle for Auto Pay has been removed to coincide with the expansion. In short, Auto Pay allows drivers to register their vehicles and avoid neglecting to pay the daily ULEZ charge. Failure to pay the ULEZ charge results in a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice). This charge has increased from £160 to £180 (reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days). The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
How do I pay the ULEZ daily charge?
ULEZ drivers must pay by midnight on the third day following their journey or risk a PCN. If you intend to drive within the London ULEZ there are a variety of payment options available to you including:
- Online
- Auto Pay
- London Road User Charging account
- Pay by phone 0343 222 2222 (TfL call charges apply)
- Download the official TfL “Pay to Drive in London app”
Alternatively, check the gov.uk page for further details.
How to avoid the Avoid ULEZ daily charge
At Rapid, we understand the challenges faced by our Courier Drivers and want to help in any way we can. With mounting running costs, we want your vehicle to be as cost-effective as possible. That’s why ALL our Courier Vans are EURO 6 and ULEZ Compliant and come with insurance included as standard. Furthermore, we offer additional multiple built-in benefits that include:
- Roadside assistance
- Servicing and maintenance
- Tyres and brakes replacement
Our specialist team is on hand to support you through your Courier Van including Insurance rental today! Our onboarding process is simple. All you need to do is:
- Obtain a weekly price
- Reserve your car
- Choose to take delivery or collect your van yourself within 7 days
Call 01732 747 190 today to escape the ULEZ daily charges and see how much you could save!
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