LEZ standards 'will increase commercial vehicle rental'

Date: 6/12/2011

Many businesses are likely to start hiring environmentally-friendly commercial vehicles when the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards are introduced next year.

The changes will mean firms running motors that do not meet the Euro 3 standards for particulate matter will have to pay £100 to drive in certain areas of the capital.

As a result, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association expects there to be an increase in the number of enterprises hiring compliant vehicles, especially if they use them on an infrequent basis.

Chief Executive of the organisation John Lewis said: "It might not make economic sense for them to buy a new vehicle or spend thousands of pounds on fitting a filter because of one or two trips to London."

However, by hiring a low-emission van they could still travel around the city without paying the charge.

At the end of last month, a survey conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders discovered 31 per cent of the UK's 3.57 million vans do not meet Euro 3 emission standards.

Posted by Nick Anderson