Forum Topic

Petition To Stop Khan Expanding The ULEZ Zone To All London Boroughs

I just signed the petition "Stop Sadiq Khan expanding the ULEZ to all the London borough 2023" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.The goal is to reach 150,000 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:https://chng.it/DsmzKCvT48So far 126,191 have signed.

Sue Hammond ● 925d13 Comments

Yes, as with the Prince of Wales' Earth Shot there are opportunities being created for new businesses by those who are searching out new ideas, inventions and discoveries in their quest for solutions.I still find it interesting that the EV batteries can be used for power storage once they can no longer be used to propel vehicles.  These EV batteries were being replaced when necessary by the dealer so they are more controlled and less likely to fall out of a circular system.I believe there is a problem with vapes which have an integral small lithium battery which is not apparent and is s subject that needs further investigation and regulation.

Philippa Bond ● 923d

It looks like some are seeing opportunities in processing batteries from EVs and other devices. The lithium and other rare elements in them are valuable and worth reclaiming.https://www.lithiumbatteryrecycling.co.uk/Interesting to think that according to current cosmological theories some of the lithium in the universe was the only element created at Big Bang after hydrogen and helium :-)

Michael Ixer ● 924d

Have you seen all the batteries needed for an EV. Didn't think so.  We all know what to do with our batteries not thick.

Barbara Stevens ● 924d

Barbara. All batteries should be recycled.  I presume you are referring to the new electric ones though and solutions are increasing all the time.  Last time I looked they were just being used as power storage  (no longer good for powering cars along but still good for storage of power in homes) - progress and change keeps improving the solutions.https://www.drivingelectric.com/your-questions-answered/840/electric-car-battery-recycling-all-you-need-to-know?ampAs for all other batteries:  www.recyclenow.com should have all the answers.All batteries should be separated for recycling as when crushed and damaged in waste lorries they can cause fires.  Also lithium batteries need to be kept dry.Shops that sell more than a certain amount of batteries by law have to collect spent/used ones for recycling - so look out for and ask where these collection points are - sometimes they are obvious but sometimes not so eg behind the till out of sight.

Philippa Bond ● 924d

Michael,Looking at the last link (overlap from the other thread) the 2015 criteria hasn't changed yet the numbers of vehicles which the tax applies to has fallen. This effectively means Khan is targeting a smaller group than Johnson."..I don't seem it as a political move.."The tariff is 100 percent political.Just because both parties believe in regression taxation doesn't make it non political. It just means they are virtually the same party.Just look at how the ULEZ is being promoted:"This means that most drivers in outer London will not be impacted"Selling it by targeting a very small minority but also not even providing adequate compensation to those that need it."introducing our biggest scrappage scheme yet - £110m"Sounds big until you look at the amounts people will get which he doesn't quote.Over spinning poor journalism has led some people to wrongly believing that  it's open to everyone and is generous Coming back to the route of the issue - a lack of transparency tends to lead to poor decisions. Central government both Labour & Conservative have poor records in implementing good tax policies.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-diesel-vehicles-health-warnings-impact-cars-air-pollution-tony-blair-gordon-brown-2000-budget-a8062301.html

Ed Robinson ● 924d

"minority of the population who are polluting the air of the majority"Everyone in London depends upon polluting ICE vehicles, from emergency services to delivery/waste services, utilities etc.With regard to personal transport I would say that a majority, if not a significant minority still rely on ICE buses, cars, taxis etc.With regards to personally owned ICE vehicles it is a smaller but significant minority.With regards to personal vehicles that do not meet ULEZ then the numbers fall again.I'm not sure what group you are referring to with your comment.If TFL & the Mayor were more open we would have the figures.

Ed Robinson ● 924d

How do you dispose of all the batteries. Seems to me nobody knows what vehicle is any good, the only people who are making out of this is vehicle sales.  Just another person sitting on their backside, picking their nose, seeing who they can annoy next.

Barbara Stevens ● 924d

It seems this came about because of only looking at part of the science. Diesel cars produce less CO2 than petrol, better for the environment. Then it was realised diesel engines produced more NOx gases and particulate matter, very bad for humans. I guess because of the high, damaging pollution levels in London ULEZ was introduced as a panic measure? Remember, Boris Johnson when Conservative Mayor of London, originally  announcing ULEZ in 2015. It's a personal opinion but I don't seem it as a political move, perhaps more of a simplistic expedient but imperfect solution caused by inadequate (or incomplete) science in the face of two serious problems: global warming from greenhouse gas emissions and emissions detrimental to human health. EVs get most of the way there, just need to solve the problem of brake pad particles; still at least they no longer use asbestos … https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/in-depth/fact-check-are-diesel-cars-really-more-polluting-than-petrol-cars/ https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/ultra-low-emission-zone

Michael Ixer ● 924d

It's a minority of the population who are polluting the air of the majority. That's not democratic either.

Matt Palmer ● 924d

141,000 signatures now.

Sue Hammond ● 924d

Hi Matt. I was a driver for 30+ years until the effects of MS made it untenable and I voluntarily stopped.  I do understand the issue and empathise very much with motorists.

Sue Hammond ● 924d

I fail to see the connection with democratic choice.Basically any vote was on taxing a minority of the population that many cannot afford to replace their vehicle. That does not sound democratic.If the majority of the electorate or even a significant minority were impacted by the tax you would have a point.Basically the majority of the people are voting to tax someone else.Nothing unusual about that - it is after all how progressive taxes work. But unlike a progressive tax the target are not necessarily the super rich or even the rich.A quick reminder how we got into this mess. Mainly it was due to the UK government (Labour at the time) not being transparent about the impact of diesels. It was suppressed. Covered up for the greater good of the EU. Diesel gate followed. Successive Tory government then encourage the purchase of diesels through taxation.Now retrospectively we are telling them their cars are worthless. I'm no fan of retrospective taxation as stated in other forums, but if it is justified - which I believe it is then they should be compensated.If that means everyone that drives pays then so be it.But let's not ever go down the dark road that a majority vote on only impacting a minority unfairly is democratic - it isn't!

Ed Robinson ● 925d

I didnt know you were a driver Sue?Tbf there will be an election shortly after this is introduced, presumably whoever the Tories field will promise to rip it all out so there will at least be a democratic choice :)

Matt Palmer ● 925d