Starting today, the ULEZ scrappage scheme, led by the Mayor of London, offers participants the opportunity to donate their non ULEZ-compliant vehicles to support humanitarian and medical
efforts in Ukraine. Transport for London (TfL), in collaboration with the UK registered charity British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA) and with support from the Embassy of Ukraine, has introduced this initiative to provide an alternative to scrapping vehicles while still receiving a scrappage grant.
Open to all London residents, small businesses, and charities with eligible vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ emissions standards, the new scheme allows for the donation of various non-compliant vehicles through BUA. The charity assesses the need and suitability of the vehicles, including right-hand drives, and facilitates their donation to Ukraine. In general, most vehicles eligible for the scrappage scheme are required in Ukraine to support humanitarian and medical efforts.
BUA manages the process of donating vehicles to Ukraine, provides the necessary documentation for participants to receive their scrappage grant, and reports on the number of vehicles donated. Several vehicle owners have already expressed readiness to donate their non-ULEZ compliant vehicles through the amended scheme and can now apply on TfL’s website.
The idea for this expanded scheme stemmed from representations by the Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, who reached out to Sadiq Khan, emphasizing the close relationship between Kyiv and London and the desire to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Sadiq Khan lobbied the Government to allow non-compliant vehicles to be donated to Ukraine while still receiving the same level of grant payment. Following confirmation from the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, TfL collaborated with partner organizations to establish the scheme, with BUA selected as the appropriate intermediary.
Additionally, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) plans to contribute to the effort by donating 50 decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine. Although LAS ambulances are exempt from ULEZ charges, the service intends to gradually decommission non-compliant vehicles to support Ukraine's humanitarian and medical needs.
Ukraine’s infrastructure has suffered significant damage due to the conflict, resulting in limited access to healthcare in many areas. By donating various vehicles to Ukrainian authorities and their partners, the initiative aims to provide crucial humanitarian and logistical assistance as the illegal invasion by Russia continues.
The Mayor’s Office and TfL have collaborated extensively with the Ukrainian Embassy to identify charities and organizations that have previously worked on similar initiatives. BUA, which has procured and delivered over 300 medical and evacuation vehicles to Ukraine in 2023, works directly with organizations on the ground and will ensure the permanent removal of donated vehicles from the UK, providing evidence to TfL.
Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his delight at launching the expanded ULEZ scrappage scheme, emphasizing its dual benefits of supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine while reducing polluting vehicles on London’s roads. Christina Calderato, Director of Transport Strategy and Policy, commended Londoners for their history of global solidarity and highlighted the scheme's role in providing vital humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict.
Dr. Rainer-Elk Anders, trustee of BUA, thanked Londoners for their support, stressing the lifesaving impact of donated vehicles in Ukraine. Eleanor Brown, an administrator from Forest Hill, shared her enthusiasm for donating her vehicle to aid paramedics in Ukraine, highlighting the positive outcome of the scheme.
Eduard Fesko, Chargé d'affaires of Ukraine in the UK, expressed gratitude for the generous support, noting that the donated vehicles will address the humanitarian and medical needs of Ukraine instead of being scrapped, reflecting the unwavering support of the British public for the Ukrainian people. Photo by Alexostrov, Wikimedia commons.