ULEZ Charge

Jon1964

In August 2023 the ULEZ is expanding to my area unfortunately my car which is diesel Registered in 2015 and still under finance  doesn’t meet the requirements so will cost me £12-50 a day, is there anything I can do?to either cut the cost, I’m currently on PIP standard rate mobility and standard for living any help would be appreciated.

poppy123456

I think for some areas there's an exemption for disabled drivers who's vehicles are registered as disabled tax class will be exempt until Oct 2025 but for this you need Enhanced mobility PIP. I've tried searching for other help offered but sadly can't find anything that will help.

Jon1964

Thanks I also have searched but I’m going round in circles maybe I should contact the finance company to discuss what could be done.

L_Volunteer

This sounds really frustrating @Jon1964. Never easy to feel like you're going round in circles.

Have you been able to contact the finance company yet and, if so, how has this gone for you?

Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you with this 

john_taylor

It looks like blue badge holders are exempt in some congestion charges. Just I’ve found this: https://www.bluebadgecompany.co.uk/pages/entertainment-and-travel and for tolls: https://www.gov.uk/toll-concessions

Jon1964

I contacted TFL about the grace period they give to Blue Badge holders who receive 100% Road Tax, they can have exemption till October 2027 but know they have extended that to Blue Badge holders receiving 50% car tax the same grace period so I have applied and waiting on DVLA.

freshwaterlilly

Interesting there is not much information on this grace period 
my understanding is if you get attendance allowance higher rate and you have a blue badge 
you can apply on TFL website and you meet the criteria 
not so if you get higher rate of pip and a blue badge 
which is totally ridiculous as they are both the same 
so in effect if your retired get a state pension and receive pip you don’t get the mobility component neither do you get get mobility component if your on attendance allowance 
so what’s the difference? Anyone!

SteveE

poppy123456 said:

I think for some areas there's an exemption for disabled drivers who's vehicles are registered as disabled tax class will be exempt until Oct 2025 but for this you need Enhanced mobility PIP. I've tried searching for other help offered but sadly can't find anything that will help.

I've been using the TfL webpage https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions which spells out their grace period rules, some types of exemption require an application (exemption is not automatic for some),

It looks that after 25 October 2027 charges will apply to most people, who might be granted a grace period, if their vehicle does not meet TfL's view of acceptable emission standards.

We are not in a position to purchase a new diesel/petrol WAV, and the cost of an electric WAV (and required infrastructure) is in the realms of ridiculous (let alone limits on range). So we're kinda stuck with a 2013 diesel WAV with no apparent help from the very authorities bringing in these charges and changes.

Hope the link above helps.

Steve






 

SteveE

Update: Pleased to hear today about improved 'scrappage' offers for Londoners. Nothing like what is needed but help nonetheless. (We are not Londoners so can't expect help, but why does handing over £12.50 help the Children of London who will still get a lungful of our nasty pollution? We guess we are not wanted there.) 

freshwaterlilly

He’s so considerate is Mr Khan 
did everyone know that if you get the £2000  scrappage  that will be taken into account if you get means tested benefits read the small print and of course you will be penalised and it will affect your money surprise surprise not! This is for rich people to rob poor people nothing more 

Steve_in_The_City

Something has to be done about traffic pollution and I am in support of ULEZ. I live in Central London and traffic pollution is the pits. It made me seriously ill and I had to give up my business, so I for one know first hand just how serious these issues are. I also know that many journeys that drivers make can be made on public transport, but they chose to drive and don't care about the long-term consequences.

poppy123456

Steve_in_The_City said:

I also know that many journeys that drivers make can be made on public transport, but they chose to drive and don't care about the long-term consequences.

I'm all for EV vehicles but with public transport being as bad as it is, i can't blame anyone for not wanting to use it. Even more so for disabled people.

I've said this before and i'll say it again, i don't have a driveway and the same applies to many others too. It's not as easy or as cheap as some people claim it is to use public chargers. I will be sticking with my self charging hybrid until a solution is made for those that don't have driveways.

freshwaterlilly

Nono one is saying we shouldn’t have clean air what we should have is a fair system for everyone not just people who have the resources to just go buy another car 
most people have old cars because they can’t afford a newer one
if people can’t afford to buy another car/van lots of people will lose their jobs then have no money have to use food banks and then lose their home 
that’s a really far system isn’t it

poppy123456

A charging hub is still not the answer for those that don't have drive ways. The cost of living is already through the roof and i for one am not prepared to pay more to charge a vehicle than i do for fuel.

SteveE

woodbine said:

The sooner every city has ULEZ the better.

Maybe so. But how would we get about? Can't use bus/train/taxi cos wheelchair "too big". Can't afford electric WAV.  Any ideas?

kikidee

I am in need of a second hand car...if I purchase one now can I apply for the grace period as I am disabled or do I have to already own the vehicle before the ulez rules began?

poppy123456

kikidee said:

I am in need of a second hand car...if I purchase one now can I apply for the grace period as I am disabled or do I have to already own the vehicle before the ulez rules began?

Being disabled doesn't automatically exempt you from the charge. You can see the criteria here. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions if you qualify then it doesn't matter when you bought the vehicle.

kikidee

Thanks Polly 🙂 much 👍

Sandy_123

There is a really  annoying  person who lives down the road, who thinks it's OK to have a electric cable running on an extension lead from his flat, across the path, to charge his car.  Trip hazard waiting to happen. 

Public transport is not cheap, it's 4.50 for one day on the bus where I live. Often not turning up, or I have waited an hour for one to come. They also don't run after a certain time at night and 1 an hour on a sunday.  If you have to change bus company on your journey, you pay again. Trains more on top.  Not to mention safety once your on it, with other passengers. 
Now add people with mobility problems and sight problems and someone with pushchairs with children and babies, to make it harder.
I rang for a taxi to go to an appointment the other day, wanted it for 3pm, no taxis until 3.30. 

My daughter pays the ulez every time she has to go out. Diesel  car that the gov promoted  once.
Lots of flaws with electric cars, at the moment, charging points for one.

Jimm_Alumni

It's honestly kind of disgusting, but not a shock, how much car companies pushed diesels as a more "environmentally-friendly" option, and the government jumped on that too. We knew their exhaust was bad for lung health, just legislation hadn't yet caught up. 

My mum has an electric car and I'm seeing a lot more of them every year. The infrastructure should really have been fully in place by now but it is getting there.

honestjon

When hardly anyone had diesel cars the diesel was a lot cheaper than petrol.
Now most have diesel cars and the diesel is more expensive than petrol.
Surprise surprise