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The journey to compliance
Page 9
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Owner-driver Dick Flute is worried about the irnplications of the upcoming London low emission zone (LEZ).
In road transport, especially on international work, the goalposts are being moved almost daily, but those of us still doing it need to plan ahead and invest.
As an owner-driver you don't want to buy something that will look old after three years but you also want to buy something tried and trusted. Renault seemed to have it spot on and the Premium has lived up to its promise. After 10 years and 350,000km it was treated to a £12,000 body refurbishment and paint job.
Then came the bombshell. The Mayor of London in conjunction with Transport for London was going to go against every other major European city by introducing a unique set of emission requirements for Greater London. Being based in London this was devastating news because at Euro-2 my Premium just failed to meet the criteria. It was a stark choice, either pay up £200 for a job often involving 10km or less or I'd have to scrap the truck. I decided that replacing the truck wasn't an option because of the huge costs involved, while the E200 a day charge would surely kill my business. Or would it? I was amazed by the support offered by my customers, many saying: -Well if that's the situation we'll pay it and pass the cost along." But I wasn't sure this was the answer.
Most of the alternative trucks available for 'spot hire' were older... so what were my options? I discovered a particulate filter exhaust system was available for about £5,000, butt was told that low-use vehicles will probably clog these filters pretty quickly and burn them out, so this wasn't the solution.
The search for the answer continues in CM 23 August.