RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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RHA welcomes VOSA smoke testing plans
The Road Haulage Association has welcomed VOSA’s announcement that it will be able to do the smoke tests needed for a London Low Emission Certificate from 3 September 2007.
The LECs will be needed for Euro II and Euro 1 trucks that otherwise meet the emissions standard for the London Low Emission Zone without modification and do not have a Department for Transport reduced pollution certificate. The start date for the LEZ is February 4 2008 for trucks above 12 tonnes.
The emissions level required is the level for particulate matter specified in Euro III regulations. Euro III trucks are deemed to meet this standard automatically; at least 30,000 Euro II and Euro 1 trucks also meet the particulates standard but will be required to pass the VOSA smoke test annually, to show they remain in good condition.
(A variety of Euro II trucks meet the standard; at Euro I, the trucks are limited to some of those with Cummins and Volvo engines.)
Owners of these older trucks may wish to consider applying for a low emission certificate even if they do not go into London, as an LEC could increase the value of the vehicle and make it saleable to operators who are struggling to meet the requirements of the LEZ.
Owners seeking to sell their older vehicle could well find a ready buyer among companies whose own vehicles do not comply with the LEZ, or who need another truck to cope with increased business. With lead times for new lorries stretching out to almost one year or more, waiting for a new truck is not an option for those firms delivering into London.
“The RHA will be happy to link sellers with buyers on its website if there is a demand. We will ask those who make a sale to make a small contribution to the Association’s charity, the RHA Benevolent Fund,” said RHA Chief Executive, Roger King.
