The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) claims it may be more cost effective for firms to rent vehicles for short-term work in London rather than pay Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges. John Lewis, director general of the BVRLA says that with the £200 a day charge for pre-Euro 3 vehicles, firms should think about whether it is more viable for them to hire.
The fine for not paying the daily charge is £500, which increases to £1,000 if not paid within 14 days. Lewis says
commercial vehicles available for short-term rental are more fuel efficient and better for the environment. He adds: "Regardless of what people think about the LEZ, and many think it little more than yet another tax to bolster Ken Livingstone's coffers, everyone has a right to trade in and out of London. But the level of that trading may well not justify investment in a Euro 3 or newer, vehicle." BVRLA members operate more than 510,000 vans and trucks across the UK. According to TfL, it is counting around 50,000 unique vehicles entering the zone each week, around 4,000 of which are non-compliant (8%).
