London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme does not have the legal power to export scrapped vehicles to Ukraine, according to London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office. Reports had suggested that Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko had asked for cars eligible for scrappage to be sent to Ukraine as part of the ULEZ scrappage scheme. However, the Labour mayor’s office has said that Khan is unable to allow vehicle exports under current legal limits set out in the Greater London Authority Act. Susan Hall, the Tory mayoral candidate, has criticised Khan’s office, dubbing its response “absurd”.
Under the ULEZ scrappage scheme, those living in London with non-compliant vehicles can claim up to £2,000 when these vehicles are taken to be destroyed. However, while some of the vehicles being scrapped, particularly 4x4s, could be useful for a “variety of life-saving and transport roles” to help Ukraine in its battle with Russia, exporting the vehicles would not meet the legal threshold for benefiting Londoners, as set out in the act.
Khan’s office has set up a website for Londoners who wish to donate their scrapped vehicles directly to Ukraine. Any owner of donated vehicles through an authorised charity will not be able to make a claim through the ULEZ scrappage scheme. Ms Hall has said Londoners should be allowed the freedom to decide whether or not they want their car sent to aid Ukraine.
While the full contents of the letter sent in September remain under wraps, a spokesperson for Mr Khan confirmed the letter had been received. The spokesperson expressed deep frustration at Khan’s inability to fulfil the request but said the current legal limits barring such actions meant the scrappage scheme was for the benefit of Londoners only, from an economic, social, or environmental perspective
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