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London's salvation or political ploy?
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Page 25
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With the LEZ only eight months away, this month's CM/Vichelin business monitor asks operators for their opinion of London's latest green scheme.
Only 29% of respondents believe they will be affected by the London low-emission zone (LEZ), which comes into effect in February 2008, The LEZ will affect almost every part of London out to the M25 a detailed map can be found on the TfL website at www.tf I . g ov. u k People simply do not believe the politicians wino say the LEZ is all about Londoners' health. though some give them the benefit of the doubt and believe it is for health as well as political reasons. But the majority (61%) of respondents believe the LEZ is no more than a cynical ploy by politicians who want to take the credit for advances in truck technology.
This figure is certainly an eyeopener. Of those operators affected by the LEZ, well over half have to either buy new or retrofit their existing vehicles. Retrofit companies are urging operators to act early, as demand is bound to increase sharply just before the LEZ comes into force.
A large majority of respondents believe that a scheme designed to clean up air quality should include cars as well. Though individually a truck is more polluting than a car, figures show that cars create around 80% of London's pollution. The congestion charge includes cars, but on a much smaller scale. These results are surprising, considering the responses CM has been receiving on the LEZ. Though 47% think the LEZ is a bad idea, almost as many (44%) are in favour of the zone.
While the London LEZ is welcomed by almost half the operators surveyed, the government's proposal to let councils implement their own road pricing trials is not popular. Manchester has been the first to make a move on this front, but its proposal has not mentioned LGVs and nothing has yet been decided. The current emission standard demanded by the LEZ is Euro-3, which will move to Euro-4 in 2012. Some 49% of respondents think this is reasonable, though a pretty large percentage think it is too tough. Vehicles running at Euro-1 can be upgraded to Euro-3, though very rarely to Euro-4.
Road pricing will not cut congestion, according to 82% of our respondents. The FTA believes road pricing could work in certain areas as long it is just one tool in the box. It's also calling for more and better roads. Operators in our survey voted by a huge majority that the proposed fine of £200 is too high. It does not take into account operators (probably small businesses) that may need to make the trip into London once a month for an exhibition or similar event.
Most respondents plan to pass on the costs of the LEZ to their customers, which is bound to put pressure on prices in the capital. But 27% of operators fear they will have to absorb the extra cost.