If you’re a coach operator who’s keeping an eye on the future, you’ll know that air quality is an issue. Already London has a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), to be strengthened in two years’ time to Euro 6 and widened in scope.
The full details of what the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will comprise remain to be thrashed out, but make no mistake, it’s coming.
Elsewhere five UK cities – Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton – have CAZs lined up to start by 2020.
And, in the next few weeks we expect a government announcement about another 20 to add to that list.
If you travel to the continent, you’ll know that CAZs are not unique. Such are the problems that Europe is now peppered with them.
So, what should your fleet look like in two to three years’ time? If you’re running a typical operation then you are going to need some Euro 6 vehicles in your fleet.
With finance at lower rates and more easily obtainable than in the past, now may well be a good time to consider early fleet replacement. Fuel savings are being delivered and, significantly, if you want a new coach there’s plenty of choice in the market.
The result of this is that there are also some very keen prices. Pick behind the ‘from £££’ stickers, and we understand that there are deals to be done. Now might well be a really good time to buy.
