The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has officially expressed his endorsement of the export of 4x4s and other vehicles to Ukraine, vehicles which would otherwise be discarded under the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) scheme. In a joint correspondence with former defence secretary Ben Wallace, Khan has urged Transport Secretary Mark Harper to facilitate the donation of suitable vehicles to Ukraine through the Ulez scrappage schemes.
The Ulez scrappage scheme, which became effective in August, allows Londoners with vehicles that do not meet emission standards to receive up to £2,000 when their non-compliant vehicles are taken for destruction. However, the current regulations prohibit the exportation of these vehicles.
The letter has underscored the significance of providing essential support to the people of Ukraine while encouraging Londoners to remove polluting vehicles from city streets. It has also highlighted the specific requirement for 4×4 vehicles and emergency service vehicles in Ukraine.
The original suggestion to export suitable vehicles to Ukraine had come from Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, who approached Sadiq Khan to explore the possibility as part of the scrappage scheme. The letter from Khan and Wallace has proposed altering the national regulations for the certificate of destruction, which is necessary as proof that a vehicle has been permanently scrapped, to allow the export of suitable vehicles to Ukraine through a registered charity or national scheme.
In response to the letter, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has expressed surprise that it took so long for the mayor to request the move, considering the Ulez scheme has been in operation since August. He has also mentioned that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, sought clarification from Khan on the legal barriers he believed were preventing the export of these vehicles.
Harper has assured that once the legal barriers are identified, his officials would support any available options to enable the export of the vehicles to Ukraine.
This initiative aims not only to address the environmental concerns within the Ulez but also to provide practical assistance to the people of Ukraine. With the potential for a rule change, Londoners may have the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause while making a positive impact on the environment.
In conclusion, the proposal to allow Ulez vehicle exports to Ukraine requires coordination and cooperation between government departments to ensure that the exported vehicles meet the needs of Ukraine. The outcome of this initiative could have far-reaching benefits for both London and Ukraine, addressing environmental concerns and providing essential support during a critical time.
