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TfL's plans pay Vosa to test LEZ vehicles for particulate matter but not NOx emissions are flawed, according to the FTA and RHA. Transport for London (TfL) will pay Vosa almost £288,000 a year to test LGV emissions to establish how many old trucks already reach the standard for London's low-emission zone (LEZ).

The revelation that  an unknown number of Euro-1 and 2 engines will pass the LEZ minimum standard of Euro-3 without needing a retrofit has resulted in disquiet and anger within the haulage industry. The spectre of a judicial review into Mayor Ken Livingstone's plans has now also been raised.

The Freight Transport Association says TfL's plan to test LGV engines for particulate matter (PM) only - and not NOx emissions - is flawed, because some early Euro models were better at dealing with PM than later versions. Their NOx emissions are worse, but there is no LEZ standard for this.

The motor manufacturers' association SMMT says it is concerned because the scheme appears to have been driven through with the mayoral elections in May in mind. A spokesman adds that the decision by TfL to ignore NOx emissions could have arisen from  the fact that TfL also run the London buses, which do not reach Euro-3 levels: "That might have coloured their feeling."

The Road Haulage Association is particularly annoyed that TfL is embroiling Vosa in a "questionable" scheme to issue Low Emission Certificates (LECs) for older vehicles not requiring a retrofit, as well as Reduced Pollution Certificates (RPCs). Director of policy Jack Semple adds: "At the very least we need to have a phasing-in of enforcement, where operators can demonstrate they are in the process of trying to comply with a scheme for which they have been given inadequate notice."

However, TfL argues that the testing of vehicles will not lead to extra work. A spokesman says: "We've always anticipated that the scheme would lead to an additional 26,000 RPC and LEC tests annually, and it has always been TfL's intention to fund this increase in Vosa's work at a cost of around £287,500 a year."

"It should be noted that an increase in Euro-2 vehicles requiring certification does not increase the overall number of tests that Vosa will be carrying out. This is because these vehicles will simply undergo an LEC examination instead of - not in addition to - an inspection of an abatement device."