Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that Transport for London (TfL) will adjust its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme to donate non-compliant vehicles to Ukraine. This decision comes after Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed that there are no legal obstacles to sending cars to Ukraine.
The proposal was initially raised in December when Mayor Khan suggested redirecting 4x4s and other suitable vehicles to Ukraine instead of scrapping them. Under this plan, vehicle owners would still receive the scrappage payment, which remains at £2,000 for cars and up to £1,000 for motorcycles.
Mayor Khan aims to launch the scheme within weeks once formal approval is obtained, with a focus on supporting Ukraine’s medical and humanitarian needs. He emphasized the importance of assisting Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s illegal invasion and addressing the impact on the country’s infrastructure.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has pledged to donate 50 decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine, with 10 to be donated in the coming weeks and 40 more by the end of the summer. LAS CEO Daniel Elkeles expressed solidarity with Ukrainian ambulance services facing challenging circumstances.
The initiative coincides with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has severely affected the nation’s health system. British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA) will assist in organizing the vehicle transfer process, ensuring proper documentation and logistics.
Rainer-Elk Anders of British-Ukrainian Aid expressed gratitude to Londoners for giving their vehicles a second life and supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The TfL website will soon offer successful scrappage scheme applicants the option to donate their vehicles to Ukraine, with BUA facilitating the transfer process.
Eduard Fesko from the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK praised the initiative, encouraging charity organizations and volunteer groups to join the effort. The collaboration between TfL, LAS, BUA, and the Ukrainian Embassy reflects a collective commitment to providing assistance to Ukraine in its time of need.