THANKS BORIS

Although based in leafy Surrey half our clients are marginally within the Greater London area or to be more accurate what in this neck of the woods is known as LEZ – low emission zone.

We use a perfectly good, well maintained 1990 Land Rover diesel Hi Cap pickup truck but from January 2012 this vehicle will be banned from entering the LEZ or charged £100 per day for the privilege ! With effect from that date all diesel commercial vehicles with the exception of only very small light vans will, at a prohibitive cost, have to be fitted with a TFL approved diesel particulate filter when driven in the zone.

We have three options:

1) Sell the pick up for next to nothing as the market is already becoming saturated with non compliant vehicles.

2) At considerable cost exchange the engine for a petrol lump giving nearly half the mpg.

3) At even greater expense have an approved diesel particulate filter fitted and also incur the annual cost having it certified as compliant (in addition to the MOT) with TFL regulations.

So thanks Boris and the EU - did I hear you say something about encouraging small businesses and cutting red tape ? Clap trap.

The EU is run by complete maniacs who create legislation with no regard to economics and if they are allowed to continue eventually bankrupt all member countries by making them uncompetitive.

The media have picked up on this issue and more...

Transport Minister Norman Baker said it should not be "involved" in individual cities' transport choices.

"We will not be banning cars from city centres anymore than we will be having rectangular bananas," he said.

For anyone who is not sure if these lunatics are right or wrong Tim Worstall has written an excellent book "Chasing Rainbows", which shows just how illinformed and irresponsible these political meddlers are, well worth a read.

Roy said:

No one can give a firm price but estimates around £2 to 4 thousand ! Come end of the year there's going to be one hell of a stink when the media pick up on this.

Gardens4u.co.uk said:

how much is the filter ?

Replies

Chris Auld April 9, 2011 at 9:29pm

Like this guy?

http://www.thecyclinggardener.co.uk/

Clive Courtney said:

Your clients will have to foot the bill or find a man on a bike.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk April 9, 2011 at 9:32pm

how much is the filter ?
Roy April 9, 2011 at 10:09pm

No one can give a firm price but estimates around £2 to 4 thousand ! Come end of the year there's going to be one hell of a stink when the media pick up on this.

Gardens4u.co.uk said:

how much is the filter ?
Dan Frazer Gardening April 9, 2011 at 10:43pm

Why do you need a vehicle like that as a domestic maintenance provider? Wouldn't an economical van be a much better choice all round?
Richard Boyd April 10, 2011 at 9:23am

The EU is run by complete maniacs who create legislation with no regard to economics and if they are allowed to continue eventually bankrupt all member countries by making them uncompetitive.

The media have picked up on this issue and more...

Transport Minister Norman Baker said it should not be "involved" in individual cities' transport choices.

"We will not be banning cars from city centres anymore than we will be having rectangular bananas," he said.

For anyone who is not sure if these lunatics are right or wrong Tim Worstall has written an excellent book "Chasing Rainbows", which shows just how illinformed and irresponsible these political meddlers are, well worth a read.

Roy said:

No one can give a firm price but estimates around £2 to 4 thousand ! Come end of the year there's going to be one hell of a stink when the media pick up on this.

Gardens4u.co.uk said:

how much is the filter ?
Fenlandphil April 10, 2011 at 7:00pm

I checked out my Pilot Van out on their website and apparently it is 2012 compliant, phew!
Roy April 11, 2011 at 7:41pm

Any 'large' commercial vehicle registered post 01/01/2002 will be compliant; for now !

And the EU plans are that a LEZ should progressively be rolled out to all major towns and cities in Europe.

Fenlandphil said:

I checked out my Pilot Van out on their website and apparently it is 2012 compliant, phew!
Chris Auld April 11, 2011 at 7:53pm

How many miles have you clocked up on your defender Roy?
Roy April 11, 2011 at 8:16pm

About 132K but new engine was fitted at about 105K, I bought it second hand at 103K. The new engine was fitted courtesy of a well known motoring organisation who carried out a pre purchase examination but failed to spot engine defects so I sued them and won the cost of a new lump. There's a photo in my reply to the recent post about 'Van or pickup ?'.

Chris Auld said:

How many miles have you clocked up on your defender Roy?
Chris Auld April 11, 2011 at 8:34pm

Those old defenders just refuse to die.

Roy said:

About 132K but new engine was fitted at about 105K, I bought it second hand at 103K. The new engine was fitted courtesy of a well known motoring organisation who carried out a pre purchase examination but failed to spot engine defects so I sued them and won the cost of a new lump. There's a photo in my reply to the recent post about 'Van or pickup ?'.

Chris Auld said:
How many miles have you clocked up on your defender Roy?