Friday 5 April 2019

With just three days until its introduction, many businesses in the capital are unclear about various aspects of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), according to polling released by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The polling of 571 London business decision makers weighted to be representative of London businesses by size and broad industry sector, was carried out by independent survey company, ComRes between 13 February and 11 March 2019.

Amongst the headline findings are that 44% of businesses say that they don’t know about the impact ULEZ proposals will have on their business, and 46% don’t know how much the ULEZ charges will be for non-compliant vehicles.

David Frost, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“We support efforts to improve London’s air quality. But at this time of huge uncertainty for businesses, and when many are grappling with other government-imposed changes such as the Making Tax Digital programme, we believe enforcement of the ULEZ should be done pragmatically. For as long as the Mayor’s communication campaign has not reached everyone who needs to know, TfL should issue advisory notices to businesses infringing the rules, rather than immediately imposing the heavy penalties the law requires. Otherwise, smaller businesses which can’t afford to upgrade their vehicles immediately risk being priced out of serving central London clients.”

When asked how much, if anything, do you know about the following aspects of ULEZ, the results show:

The impact ULEZ proposals will have on my business:

Know a lot about - 22%
Know a little about - 35%
Don’t know about - 44%

How much the ULEZ charges will be for non-compliant vehicles:

Know a lot about - 17%
Know a little about - 37%
Don’t know about - 46%

The ULEZ emissions standards:

Know a lot about - 13%
Know a little about - 41%
Don’t know about – 47%

Which areas of London will be covered by the ULEZ when it is first introduced in April 2019:

Know a lot about - 21%
Know a little about - 42%
Don’t know about - 37%

Which areas of London are expected to be covered by the expanded ULEZ in 2021:

Know a lot about – 17%
Know a little about – 39%
Don’t know about – 44%

Which vehicles the ULEZ applies to:

Know a lot about - 16%
Know a little about - 46%
Don’t know about - 38%

The benefits of ULEZ:

Know a lot about - 15%
Know a little about - 46%
Don’t know about - 39%

Media contact
Steven Reilly-Hii
T: +44 (0)207 203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: sreilly-hii@londonchamber.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital’s most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders. David Frost is available for interview and further comment.
2. ComRes interviewed 571 London business decision makers online between 13 February and 11 March 2019. Data were weighted to be representative of all London businesses by company size and broad industry sector. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.