If we cast our minds back to July 2008, those wishing to enter London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) had to ensure that their vehicle was either Euro 3, fitted with equipment that would ensure that vehicle emissions were of Euro 3 level or less, or pay a charge.
Once again, in 2012 the game changed to Euro 4 and in 2019 will jump to Euro 6.
Let’s put environmental ramifications to one side and consider the main task in hand – getting coaches into London and remaining compliant.
Natural gas, poo, battery power and hybrid will never work on coaches as long as they have a hole in their exhausts. But petrol is available at a filling station near you!
At the moment, all things petrol are welcome in LEZs, so why are coach operators not banging on the doors of vehicle manufacturers asking the most important question – “What petrol-engined variants are you offering for 2019 either for retrofit or on new vehicles?”?
The options for coach operators are narrowing, the costs are spiralling and most (if not all) subsidies and grants are for buses.
Let’s ask our trade associations to help us obtain grants for the great Euro 6 debacle just like our bus operating buddies enjoy and demand a credible alternative to the diesel engine from vehicle suppliers.
I am sure that I speak for many when I say that the coach industry has had just about enough of falling in to line with the latest craze without any credible consultation or robust representation.
It’s all very well having the cleanest air in the universe, but for once, let’s do it at a pace that everyone can afford.
Mark R Self, Poole
