Low Emissions Zone
Identifying Euro I or II engines that meet the LEZ emissions standards
To see a full list of MAN vehicles/ engines meeting the required standard, please click here.
A full list of other manufacturer’s Euro I and II engines which potentially meet the LEZ emission standards for particulate matter can be found on the Transport for London website.
Operators of these vehicles will be required to have their engines certified by the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA) before they can travel into the Greater London Low Emissions Zone without charge.
Only vehicles passing this inspection and issued with a certificate are compliant.
Vehicle with Euro I/ II engines, without a valid Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) or Low Emissions Certificate (LEC), will be subject to a charge upon entry to the zone.
VOSA Inspections
VOSA will inspect vehicles fitted with these engines, the inspection involves performing a smoke test and issue one of the following:
Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC)
Some of these vehicles will already have had the appropriate RPC awarded. Vehicles issued with an RPC prior to 1st Jan 2001 but have allowed the certificate to lapse can be re-tested.
However since the Department for Transport’s regulations changed in January 2001. Vehicles that haven’t previously been issued with a certificate cannot be issued with one - even if they have an eligible engine.
These vehicles will then be awarded with a Low Emissions Certificate.
Low Emissions Certificate (LEC)
This is a certificate offered by Transport for London to allow vehicles certificated proof that they comply with the emission requirements of the scheme.
It is issued to vehicles or engines which are not eligible for the RPC (as detailed above), but still comply with the LEZ emissions standard for particulate emissions.
Both RPC and LEC certificates must be renewed annually. The inspection can be carried out at the same time as the vehicle’s annual inspection.
Full details of the VOSA RPC and LEC test procedures can be found on the VOSA website.
Smoke Limits
VOSA are responsible for setting the smoke limit standards.
The current limits set for the RPC are as follows:
Unmodified Euro I engines - 0.8m-1
Unmodified Euro II engines - 0.4m-1
Vehicles with engines on the RPC approved list, but are not eligible for an RPC can receive a LEC by achieving the same smoke limit standards.
For other engines added to the LEC Eligible Engines list, but are not eligible for an RPC, the smoke test limit varies from engine to engine.
If a higher limit has been declared by the vehicle’s manufacturer. The default value for the certified ‘in-service’ smoke limit will be 0.8m-1.
The purpose of the certificate inspection is to ensure the engine is on the eligible list, whilst the smoke test confirms the vehicle is operating within expected emissions limits.
The smoke test level for the vehicle is stricter than the limit required for the vehicle’s MOT. However the use of the smoke mark ensures the truck is operating within the certified ‘in-service’ limits for the vehicle.
Further Information
TfL have a set up a dedicated enquiries service to help operators understand what the LEZ means for them and what they may have to do to comply with the scheme on 0845 607 0009. TfL’s website provides much more detailed information about the LEZ and options for operators to comply with the scheme.
