Technical issues plague ULEZ plate checker website

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【Summary】Transport for London's ULEZ number plate checker website experienced technical difficulties as drivers rushed to see if their cars will be affected by the expanded emission zone. The ULEZ zone will cover the entirety of London and will impose a daily charge of £12.50 on non-compliant vehicles. The website's issues have now been resolved. The expansion has faced criticism, with some residents protesting outside the Mayor's home.

FutureCar Staff Aug 28, 2023 9:18 AM PT

Technical issues plague ULEZ plate checker website

Transport for London's ULEZ numberplate checker website experienced technical issues today as drivers hurried to check if their vehicles would be subject to a £12.50 daily charge starting at midnight. Sadiq Khan's controversial policy expands the air quality charging zone to cover the entire city, impacting thousands of drivers already struggling with the high cost of living. As part of the rollout, TfL launched a website where drivers could input their registration details to determine if they would be billed.

This morning, the website displayed a warning message stating that it was busier than usual and users were placed in a queue with an expected wait time of one minute. If users preferred not to wait, they were advised to try again later. However, TfL's online numberplate checker is now functioning normally without any reported issues.

Mr. Khan's ULEZ expansion has faced significant criticism from certain Londoners. The ULEZ regulations primarily affect petrol vehicles manufactured before 2005 that do not comply with Euro 4 emissions standards. Diesel cars and vans are only exempt if their engines meet the more recent Euro 6 rules implemented in September 2015.

Popular vans registered before the cut-off date, such as the Ford Transit Custom 310s, will be subject to the ULEZ charge. Diesel cars including the Volkswagen Golf SE Bluemotion Tech TDI (2014 registration), Seat Leon FR TDI (2014), and Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX Excite Hatchback (2014) will also be liable. Petrol cars like the Ford Puma Mk1 (2001) and Honda Civic 1.6i LS Limited Edition 5dr (1998) will also fall foul of the new emissions standards.

Today, the surge of people visiting TfL's online checker to determine their vehicle's compliance caused technical difficulties, resulting in delays. In protest against the ULEZ expansion, a caravan covered in slogans was left parked outside Mr. Khan's residence in Tooting. The caravan has been dubbed a 'Khan-ovan of hate' and features various protest messages criticizing the Mayor and the ULEZ policy.

Despite the opposition, Greater London Authority planners claim that the majority of cars and vans already meet the ULEZ standards. However, local resistance has led to the vandalism of ULEZ cameras in outer boroughs of the capital. Nearly nine out of ten cameras have been vandalized in southeast London alone.

Meanwhile, a motoring lawyer known as Mr. Loophole has suggested that drivers who enter newly expanded ULEZ zones without encountering warning signs may have grounds to challenge their fines. Several local authorities bordering London have refused to sign an agreement with TfL to allow ULEZ signs within their borders, potentially creating issues for Mayor Sadiq Khan.

TfL has stated that the vandalism will not prevent the ULEZ changes from proceeding as planned, and all vandalized cameras will be repaired or replaced. They have also emphasized that the necessary signage and information are in place for drivers to be aware of the ULEZ standards and boundaries.