Londoners are offered up to £5,000 ($6,200) to scrap their older combustion vehicles in a £110 million ($136 m) scheme designed to fight pollution.
The money is intended to help low-income and disabled drivers whose cars don’t meet strict Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) standards. Currently only the area within London’s North and South Circular Roads is covered by the ULEZ rules that requires drivers of older cars to pay £12.50 ($15.50) per day to enter. But from August 2023 all 32 London boroughs will fall under ULEZ rules, demanding petrol cars meet Euro 4 emission standards, which became mandatory on new cars in 2006, and diesels must meet Euro 6 standards that came into force in 2015.
Only drivers with wheelchair-accessible vehicles will qualify for the full £5000 award, which can be used to scrap an older car or to retrofit an older vehicle to make it ULEZ compatible. The retrofit option involves fitting hardware that can bring an older engine up to newer emissions standards, or converting it to electric power.
Able-bodied drivers receiving means-tested social security benefits such as Income Support, Universal Credit, and Carer’s Allowance can apply for cash grants of up to £2,000 ($2,500) to scrap their non-ULEZ-compliant cars or motorcycles, while businesses and charities can claim up to £9,500 (£11,750).
Related: Range Rover Classic Restomod Is Compliant With London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone
There are also a few nifty bits of small print in place to make sure enterprising Londoners don’t game the system and claim cash for cars heading for the crusher anyway. For a car to qualify for the grant it must be registered with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), be covered by current road tax and MOT roadworthiness certificates and the owner must have been the registered keeper for at least 12 months. The applicant must also not have previously received money from any earlier TfL scrappage scheme.