Electric vans with zero exhaust emissions helped deliver an average of 80,000 parcels a week across London during the Christmas period, as part of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s drive to combat rising air pollution in the capital.
More than half of London’s air pollution, which breaches legal limits across certain areas, is caused by diesel and old petrol vehicle emissions. Freight vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) account for more than 30% of central London traffic, and 97% of these are diesel.
It is hoped the trial will show the benefits of electric vans and encourage freight companies to switch to cleaner vehicles.
The Mayor has already electrified the capital’s bus fleet and introduced the world’s toughest new emission standard – the T-Charge. Vehicles which do not meet the Euro 4 standards for PM and NOx emissions will pay a £10 T-Charge fee on top of the Congestion Charge every weekday they drive in the zone from 7am-6pm.
He is also bringing in the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) plan for London in April 2019.
