Emissions Standards and the Ultra Low Emission Zone

“This Assembly notes the recent admission by Volkswagendefeat devices’ – software designed to manipulate emissions test results – 11 million vehicles worldwide, of which 1.2 million are in the UK.[4]

This Assembly further notes:

i) the failure of recent European vehicle emissions standards (Euro standards) to deliver the anticipated emissions reductions; and

ii) the results of TfL’s recent testing of Euro 6/VI vehicles using London drive cycles which found that a number of Euro 6 passenger cars emit several times more NOx than some HGVs.[5]

This Assembly remains concerned that large sections of the capital continue to exceed both the annual mean and hourly legal limits for the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and are currently projected to continue doing so until 2025 at the earliest, over fifteen years after the original deadline for compliance.[6]

This Assembly believes that the Mayor has a duty to review his current policies and proposals in light of the emerging scientific evidence on the performance of Euro 6 vehicles under real-world driving conditions and our increasing knowledge of the adverse effects of air pollution on human health.

This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor of London to review the planned exhaust emission standards of his Ultra Low Emission Zone to ensure that all vehicles driving in the centre of the capital in 2020 are truly ultra-low or zero emission.”

[4]See comments made by Paul Willis, Managing Director of VW UK, appearing before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee on Monday 12 October 2015.

[5] TfL Euro 6 emission standard testing:https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/In-service%20emissions%20performance%20of%20Euro%206VI%20vehicles%20WEBSITE%20COPY.pdf

[6] Draft Air Quality Plan for the achievement of EU air quality limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Greater London Urban Area: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/no2-consultation-2015/AQplans_UK0001.pdf