News

Operators likely to be affected by the Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) should start double-checking all the DVLA data on their trucks now, according to Transport for London (TfL). Dr Michael Youngman, TfL head of technical and business requirements for the LEZ, says the scheme's initial guides to compliance will be taken from DVLA classifications of vehicles and weights. Much of this information is handwritten or typed in and is never used for any other purpose - so he warns that mistakes could easily  go unnoticed: "There are occasions where the DVLA data is wrong, in particular with regard to construction and specialist vehicles. Therefore the TfL classification may be wrong.

"Certain construction vehicles have been classified as cars, for example," he adds. "I recommend all operators check their V5s against the vehicle itself." Vosa can also make mistakes, as many certificates bearing VIN numbers are handwritten. "TfL has an established process for handling errors," says Youngman. "But the operator will need to tell us, sending a copy of the V5 and an explanation of why it's wrong. He also expects half of all Reduced Pollution Certificates (RPC) to show up as non-compliant, because operators may have let their certification lapse. Trucks will qualify for the Low Emission Zone if they meet Euro-3. This will include:

• Vehicles registered as new on 1 October 2001
• Vehicles with RPCs
• Euro-2 vehicles meeting the emissions specification for RPCs  

Testing trucks retrofitted with particulate filters to comply with the LEZ will cause technical problems as Vosa only plans to offer free acceleration smoke tests. The basic smoke test will certify the filter is connected and functioning the actual benefit it offers can only be judged by certificates issued by the filter's manufacturer.

Critics say this is vague and imprecise. "We have not yet got any detail of what that test will comprise or exactly what the target's going to be," says Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association. "But there's the potential for Euro-1 and Euro-2 vehicles to be eligible for the Low Emission certificate if they can pass that smoke test."

TfL has compiled a list of approved particulate filters these are currently approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency and the Energy Saving Trust. Other manufacturers can apply for their filters to be added to the LEZ compliance list.

Contact: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/