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Owners of cars in London that do not meet the capital's Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) standards will be able to send their cars to Ukraine from today, to support the country's humanitarian and medical needs.
In an initiative by Transport for London, British-Ukrainian Aid (Bua) and the Embassy of Ukraine, applicants for the Ulez car scrapping program can donate their car for the same amount they would have otherwise received.
The vehicles will be used to transport vulnerable residents, medical and aid workers. Ukraine's infrastructure has been severely damaged since the Russian invasion began in March 2022, with poor access to healthcare as a result.
The program will be open to all London residents, small businesses and charities with eligible vehicles, subject to availability.
Under the OLIS rules, vehicles must meet Euro 4 emissions standards, meaning they produce no more than 1 gram per kilometer of carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbon emissions no more than 0.10 grams per kilometer, and nitric oxide emissions no more than 0.08 per kilometer. .
Cars that do not comply must pay £12.50 per day to drive within the zone, which was first introduced in central London in 2019 and expanded to include all London boroughs in August 2023. According to the Mayor's Office, around 200,000 cars in London drive along the route . The average day is not compatible.
Ulez's charges came alongside rising car insurance premiums and rising gasoline and diesel costs. Although gas station prices have declined from their peak following the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, they remain at high levels.
The Mayor of London has allocated £210 million for the scrappage programme, under which car owners can apply for up to £2,000 and motorcycle owners £1,000. Owners of wheelchair accessible vehicles can claim £10,000 for scrapping or £6,000 for retrofit.
The London Ambulance Service is also donating 50 decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine. Although its vehicles are not charged for driving in the Ollie's area, it is in the process of retiring non-compliant vehicles.
Christina Calderato said: “London has a long history of helping people in need beyond the UK’s borders – and this expansion of the scheme will allow them to play a role in enabling increased access to vital humanitarian and medical aid for those affected by war.” Transport for London Transport Strategy and Policy Director.
Eligible vehicle owners will be able to apply on the TfL website, and Bua will facilitate the delivery of vehicles to Ukraine and provide documents for customers to receive their grant.
Eleanor Brown, an administrator from Forest Hill, south London, plans to donate her Land Rover to the scheme.
“I couldn't bear the thought of it having to be scrapped, so this new scheme from TfL is the perfect outcome. I hope many other vehicles can do the same,” she said.
