ULEZ debate continues as firms show progress
The battle over the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has continued with the High Court ruling it can go ahead and government’s mixed messaging described as “astonishing”.
Despite being introduced by former London mayor Boris Johnson and with a legally mandated requirement to reduce air pollution, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called ULEZ a “policy by the Labour mayor of London, backed by the Labour Party and Keir Starmer and I’d tell them not to do it” No-one is forcing them to do it. They should not do it.”
Following the loss in the outer London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where ULEZ implementation is believed to have played a role in voting, Sir Keir Starmer said the law required current Labour mayor Sadiq Khan to reduce air pollution, but also that it had to be made “easier for people”.
It follows the news last week where an attempt by Conservative boroughs to block the implementation of ULEZ was thrown out by the High Court. The legal action was launched by Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon, and Surrey County Council, which will neighbour the expanded zone.
Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said it respected the court’s decision but called it “incredibly disappointing”, after revealing that the local authorities had spent tens of thousands of pounds contesting the policy, Surrey and Bromley said that it will not appeal.
Speaking about the High Court decision, InstaVolt CEO Adrian Keen said it was “critical in protecting the UK’s transition to EVs by 2030.” He then criticised the government’s current position, and the need for certainty.
Keen said: “The amount of mixed messages coming out of Government this week has been astonishing, with proposals made to extend the 2030 deadline and row back support of ULEZ. This was the vote of approval needed to keep the country on track and is an opportunity that will create a seismic shift in our country’s emissions – and it’s not to be taken lightly.
“We’re investing heavily in our charging network across the country and specifically within ULEZ expansion zones, forming infrastructure to meet the needs of EV users, with plans in progress for a charging super hub at Syon Park in Brentford, among multiple other developments.
“Recent statistics show that air pollution is the country’s biggest environmental health threat, with outdoor pollutants estimated to contribute towards 40,000 excess premature deaths per year, costing the economy upwards of £20 billion a year. ULEZ directly helps to mitigate this. We need to push aside our prejudices and understand that this is not just a political scheme, but one that directly impacts our country’s health and environment.”
Image from Shutterstock
