Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ready for London LEZ changes
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be offering a range of incentives for London-based van drivers who may need to buy a new or used vehicle with lower, cleaner emissions when the changes to the capital’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) are introduced on 3 January 2012. Volkswagen’s offers include deposit contributions towards its low-rate finance offers for new vans, and preferential servicing packages for used ones.
The revised LEZ affects more vehicle types than before, and also tightens the required emissions standards to a minimum of Euro III. It now includes vans, pick-ups and other specialist conversions, weighing over 1205 kg unladen (ULW) up to a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3500 kg, registered before 1 January 2002.
Examples of other vehicles affected include campervans, motorhomes and ambulances between 2500 and 3500 kg GVW, and minibuses carrying more than eight passengers up to 5000 kg GVW.
Full details of the new LEZ standards, including a checker for owners to see if their vehicle meets the new emissions standards, are available from the Transport for London website, tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a wide range of new or used vans and people carriers that comply with, or exceed, the new LEZ regulations. The current Caddy, Transporter and Crafter ranges have the latest refined and efficient Volkswagen common rail TDI engines which comply with the latest Euro5 emissions standards, while vehicles from the Volkswagen Assured Used programme will be LEZ compliant, mostly with at least Euro IV emissions.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: ‘Vans are the lifeblood of this city. Their drivers are knights of the road, an army of entrepreneurs who decorate our homes, fix our plumbing and generally provide all the vital goods and services essential to the smooth running of our city. This noble bunch are mostly small business owners and independent traders who are focused on grafting hard to support their families and build a better future.
'The vast majority of people who are affected by these new changes to the London Low Emission Zone have upgraded their vehicles and need not take any action. But for those remaining people I know these are difficult times and that their vehicles are essential for their livelihoods. I want to do all I can to help. I have already given extra breathing space during the depths of the recession before these standards are introduced. But pollution remains a serious health issue and although we have seen off large fines that were looming from Europe, this remains a real threat unless we take drastic measures.
‘So I am pleased to announce I have secured a hefty package of deals with major van manufacturers such as Volkswagen which will help Londoners trade up their vehicles to new, cleaner models. Now is the time to help us tackle dangerous emissions to help those who most deserve our protection. The health of our children is too important to put at risk.’
For details of the new LEZ offers and contact details for Volkswagen Van Centres in the London area are available from volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
