NEWS London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded on 29 August to take in all of Greater London. The controversial move has been both welcomed on environmental terms and widely criticised due to the potential economic impact, which could be felt both within and beyond its perimeter. Looking to highlight the potential impact on motor sector businesses, just before the expansion took place both the IGA and NFDA met Transport for London (TfL). Topics discussed included the impact the £12.50 per day fee could have on motorists, which the IGA suggested could hamper vehicle owners seeking MOTs, servicing, and repairs from independent garages. The £160 million ULEZ scrappage scheme was also discussed, along with the funding TfL is offering for vehicle owners to retrofit vehicles to get them up to Euro 6 standards. Here, the IGA also made their concerns known due to the fact that there is only one approved parts supplier for the whole area. IGA CEO Stuart James said: “Whilst we wholeheartedly support the need to protect health and provide clean air for the people of Greater London, we must not lose sight of the fact that businesses and livelihoods need to be considered. Our meeting with TfL was a step towards highlighting the concerns of independent garages. Protecting the environment is important, but we must find ways to strike a fair balance between environmental goals and the economic wellbeing of local businesses and individuals.” The NFDA pointed out that up until that point, only 40% of the available scrappage funding had been used, and pushed TfL for more information about how motorists can access these funds and how they will be distributed. The NFDA also brought up media reports of some local councils not putting up suitable charge zone warning signs. NFDA Chief Executive Sue Robinson added: “Whilst the NFDA believes that environmental consciousness and public health are vitally important, the ULEZ's impact on businesses and drivers must be thoroughly evaluated to avoid unintended consequences that could negatively affect the London economy and impact some of its least affluent residents. We have called for ongoing dialogue with TfL to find equitable solutions that achieve emission reduction goals without disproportionately burdening businesses and drivers." 4 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2023 www.aftermarketonline.net ULEZ: Sector concerns raised with TfL MOTUL-Nismo Gran Turismo partnership MOTUL took to the big screen this summer in Gran Turismo, a film based on the story of Jann Mardenborough. He made the leap from playing the Sony PlayStation racing game to becoming a racing driver via a global competition put together by Sony, Gran Turismo game developer Polyphony Digital and Nissan. Since his 2011 GT Academy victory. Jan achieved a podium finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours in the LMP2 Category in 2013, and has raced ever since. Andy Wait, MOTUL UK Sales and Marketing Manager, commented: “NISMO – the motorsports division of Nissan, has long been an OE Partner of Motul, and with Nissan providing both the means to Jann Mardenborough’s move to professional motorsport and many of the cars he has driven in his career to date, it was logical that MOTUL would be a part of the Gran Turismo story.” To view the trailer, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVPzGB vPrzw
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