In a remarkable shift in stance, Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed his endorsement for a proposal to dispatch 4×4 vehicles to Ukraine, a move that would have previously been prohibited under London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme. The decision to permit residents of London, as well as individuals from other regions of the UK, to donate appropriate vehicles to Ukraine marks a significant reversal for the Mayor.
Previously, Sadiq Khan had prohibited non-compliant cars from being exported to the country, citing the inability to modify the environmental scheme for exports due to existing laws. However, he has since written to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, advocating for the allowance of vehicle donations to Ukraine through scrappage schemes. Under the ULEZ scrappage plan established in August, Londoners have the opportunity to receive up to £2,000 when they scrap their non-compliant vehicles, offering them a chance to support the people of Ukraine while removing polluting vehicles from the city’s streets.
In a co-authored communication sent to Mr. Harper by Sadiq Khan and former defense secretary Ben Wallace, they underscored the need for 4×4 vehicles and emergency service vehicles, based on discussions with officials from the mayor’s office in Kyiv and other partners. The idea for this initiative had been put forward by Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, as part of the ULEZ scrappage scheme, a development reported by The Telegraph.
The letter recommended amending the national regulations for the Certificate of Destruction, which is required as proof that a vehicle has been permanently scrapped, to instead facilitate the export of suitable vehicles to Ukraine through a registered charity or national scheme. This proposed change would require interdepartmental coordination within the government to ensure that the vehicles sent to Ukraine meet their specific needs.
In response to the letter, Transport Secretary Mark Harper mentioned that Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove had reached out to Mayor Khan seeking further clarity on the legal barriers he believes exist. Additionally, Harper assured that his officials would be prepared to assist in identifying solutions once the necessary information had been provided.
The Mayor’s newfound backing for the initiative to send 4x4s to Ukraine represents a noteworthy development in the ongoing efforts to assist the country in the midst of the crisis it currently faces. With Londoners and individuals from across the UK now able to contribute to this cause, it signifies a positive step towards offering essential support while addressing the issue of non-compliant vehicles in the city.
