Clobbered for £2500 to £4000 to make van comply with the new Low Emission Zone!!?? Any advice or ways round for making it compliant?

They're not exempt in the congestion charging zone.

Man, if you KNEW the love and attention (and money) I had invested in this vehicle!!!

Incidentally, is there any truth in a rumour I heard that a vehicle causes more greenhouse gases to be emitted during its creation than through a lifetime of use (an urban myth, or is there something in that?).

Almost. As much 'pollution' is created in making a new car as it will create in an avrage life of 8-12 years. I would assume that the term 'pollution' doesn't just refer to greenhouse gases.

Even if this is half-true (i.e. emissions through manufacture are very substantial component of all emissions) then I doubt that the casual suggestion (which they do indeed make in the TfL leaflet) that I go and buy a new van is really a green option when you look at the big picture.

It's not, but it's typical of the illogical and misguided ideas of most of the 'green' lobby. Mike.

Er, so what?

tox

This is very interesting Legend, very interesting indeed. I must investigate further! regs tenby

Er, they only said they were consulting you. That doesnt mean they will do as you suggest : ( Good on you for taking the trouble though!

That is very interesting. I know I would need a testing station that was on my side, or at least open to the idea that someone can pass without paying out for the modification (even if you are not using their particular services for such a modification)... my feeling is that many/most testing centres will tend not to favour results which help people avoid paying money, simply because testers are also in the trade. This is one of the big defects of the U.K. system. I notice that when they introduced the equivalent of the M.O.T in Ireland they established testing centres completely separate from businesses. A better system in my view.

Darn, I'm even banned-er

I was just wondering if anyone here has any experience of making such a modification and could advise me on the cheapest options on how to make this vehicle compliant?

1) I have heard talk of cheap versions of the filters,

2) I was also wondering if there is any other way round this, such as converting the vehicle to run on bio - diesel or some such.

Thanks very much if you can provide any info, experience or useful advice related to this

Tenby

(My vehicle details: 1996 Mercedes 609D converted to motorhome, 4 litre diesel engine, 4.5 tonnes overall weight I think, 'Euro

Since it specifically mentions commercial vehicles, does a motorhome count as that?

I read in a trade type mag a month or so back that one of the larger aftermarket exhaust companies was making a combined cat/particle filter for just this. It would fit as a direct replacement for the cat. It is not like the filters fitted to Euro IV which collect everything, and it is self-cleaning. Pity I can't remember the name of the company.

OK, just looked, motorhomes are included.

I have received a letter saying that my Mercedes van will not be allowed inside London (i.e. within the M25 motorway) as of July 2008.

This is because of the introduction of the new Londonwide 'Low Emission Zone', which affects most vehicles over 2.5 tonnes.

That's annoying since I live in London.

As my vehicle is (I think) classified a 'Euro 1' vehicle for emissions, it'll need a full DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) fitted in order to comply with new standards.

Transport for London's info document (link below) suggests this will cost 'between 2500 and £4000, which is quite a sting.

I was just wondering if anyone here has any experience of making such a modification and could advise me on the cheapest options on how to make this vehicle compliant?

1) I have heard talk of cheap versions of the filters,

2) I was also wondering if there is any other way round this, such as converting the vehicle to run on bio - diesel or some such.

Thanks very much if you can provide any info, experience or useful advice related to this

Tenby

(My vehicle details: 1996 Mercedes 609D converted to motorhome, 4 litre diesel engine, 4.5 tonnes overall weight I think, 'Euro

Euro what? 1 2 3 or 4

at your last mot what were the emission figures?

Note that some local authorities have their own testing stations. These don't do any repairs for the general public, but are required to carry out tests for everyone. Such a testing station may suit your needs better.

Chris

Just checked my 20 year old VW campervan (2.4 litre 3500kgs) by entering its reg number on the tfl compliance status page

and was surprised itsstill going to be ok to use it in London until 4/10/2010. It also added this under "Further information for 04/02/2008"

"Not subject to LEZ - Based on the information you have entered and information held by Transport for London (TfL), the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) does not apply to this vehicle. As long as the vehicle remains not subject to the LEZ the daily charge does not have to be paid for this vehicle when it is used in the Zone.

Emissions classification for these dates is based on the Vehicle Type and the age of the vehicle. "

All this seems to contradict the other info on the site, that seemed to be saying my type of vehile would have to pay from Feb 2008.

Graham

I have received a letter saying that my Mercedes van will not be allowed inside London (i.e. within the M25 motorway) as of July 2008.

Swap it for a London Bus.

A friend of mine managed to get a previously smokey Land Rover through the MOT by running it on veg oil. Dunno if that was just the visible test or what effect it had on the emissions figures but it could be worth a try.

Looking at the various LEZ documents more closely, I don't think the problem is that I need to get it through an emissions test. It seems they've simply ruled that vehicles of a certain weight and 'Euro' emissions classification must have approved filtrations systems fitted, whose proper fitting and functioning will be tested (at a charge to the vehicle owner of course).