London’s ULEZ Scrappage Scheme to End Next Month
Transport for London’s ULEZ scrappage scheme will come to a close next month, marking the end of an initiative that has already approved 53,944 applications and paid out £186 million in grants.
Deadline Approaching
Motorists who wish to take advantage of the scheme must submit their applications by 11:59 pm on September 7. As of now, 53,944 applications have been approved, and grants totaling £186 million have been distributed.
Extended Deadline for Specific Groups
TfL has confirmed that the scheme will remain open until October 2027 for individuals applying through community transport organizations or those with disabilities.
About the ULEZ Scrappage Scheme
Launched in January 2023, the ULEZ scrappage scheme is available to residents of Greater London. It offers a £2000 grant for scrapping a non-compliant car or retrofitting a van or minibus to meet the zone’s emissions standards.
The ULEZ was expanded to cover all London boroughs on August 29, 2023. To enter the zone without charge, petrol cars must meet Euro 4 standards for NOx emissions, while diesel cars must meet Euro 6 standards for NOx and particulate matter.
London mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his pride in the success of the scrappage scheme, stating, “I am proud that the scrappage scheme – the biggest in the UK – has supported so many Londoners to switch to cleaner, greener vehicles. ULEZ compliance has now reached more than 96%, bringing cleaner air to millions of Londoners.”
As part of the scheme, some vehicles have been sent to Ukraine to aid in the country’s rebuilding efforts. Drivers who trade in their vehicles have the option to donate them to the British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA) charity without forfeiting any grant value.
Khan also announced plans to provide additional funding for vehicle donations to Ukraine after the closure of the scrappage scheme.
How to Apply for the ULEZ Scrappage Scheme
To apply for the ULEZ scrappage scheme, you must be a resident of one of London’s 32 boroughs and have valid insurance, road tax, and MOT for your car. You must also have been the registered keeper of the vehicle since January 30, 2022, or earlier.
If your application is approved, you must scrap the vehicle at a TfL-approved treatment center within one month. It is important not to scrap the car until TfL has approved your application and instructed you to do so, as this may affect your eligibility for payment.
The treatment center will provide a certificate of destruction, which must be sent to TfL as evidence that the vehicle has been scrapped. Once TfL verifies the evidence, they will process the payment. However, it’s worth noting that this payment may impact certain means-tested income-based benefits, as it is considered savings.
To apply for the ULEZ scrappage scheme, visit the TfL website and log in to your London Road User Charging (RUC) account. Ensure that the name on your account matches the name on your car’s V5 document and the photo ID you plan to submit as evidence.
Upload the required documents, including your photo ID (e.g., passport), proof of London address (e.g., bill dated within the past three months), front and second page of your car’s V5 document, and valid car insurance certificate.
TfL aims to process applications within 10 working days and will notify applicants via email if their application is approved.
