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JAAMA UPDATES FLEET SOFTWARE TO HELP OPERATORS GET INTO GEAR TO MEET NEW LONDON EMISSION ZONE STANDARDS
Commercial vehicle operators are being helped by leading fleet software company Jaama to meet tough new emission standards to be introduced in London next year.
February 4, 2008 marks the start of the phased introduction of the capital’s new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and the first vehicles having to conform to the standard (Euro III for particulate matter) are HGVs over 12 tonnes.
Vehicles with emission levels conforming to Euro I and Euro II standards and registered before October 1, 2001 will have to undergo testing prior to being granted either a Reduced Pollution Certificate or a Low Emission Certificate by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to enter the LEZ without being charged.
Vehicle testing is already underway and operators of lorries that do not meet the LEZ emissions standards must pay a £200 daily charge if they wish to drive the vehicle in Greater London. Non-payment of the charge could lead to a £1,000 penalty charge.
Jaama has already updated its online Key2 Vehicle Management software product portfolio to enable commercial vehicle operators to track HGV testing applications and eventual certification by VOSA.
The phased introduction through to January 2012 means that different vehicles will be affected over time and increasingly tougher emissions standards will apply. Cars, motorcycles and small vans will not be affected.
From July 2008, a standard of Euro III for particulate matter for lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes, buses and coaches will be introduced. That will be followed from October 2010 with a standard of Euro III for particulate matter for larger vans (1.2-3.5 tonnes) and minibuses and from January 2012, a standard of Euro IV for particulate matter for lorries over 12 tonnes, buses and coaches will come into force. The daily charge will also be £200for buses and coaches, and £100for large vans and minibuses that fail to meet the standards.
The aim of LEZ is to improve air quality in London by deterring the most polluting vehicles from being driven in the area.
Jaama managing director Jason Francis said: “Thousands of HGVs will initially be affected by the introduction of the London LEZ and it is essential that commercial vehicle operators prepare now for its introduction.
“The LEZ will be enforced using fixed and mobile cameras which will read vehicle number plates (or Vehicle Registration Marks) as they travel within the Zone and check them against a database of registered vehicles that meet with the LEZ emissions standards, or have paid the daily charge, or are either exempt or registered for a 100% discount. A failure to to take action could prove costly for companies.
“It is for that reason that we have taken the prompt step to upgrade our fleet management software to help ensure operators’ vehicles comply with LEZ standards.”
Mr Francis added: “Ensuring vehicles are tested, making sure any modifications are undertaken and ultimately receiving certification will take time and means additional work for both HGV testing stations and VOSA. Our software will highlight vehicles by exception where testing is required and continue to issue reminders until the certification process is complete. We aim to make the lives of vehicle operators as easy as possible.”
PR Contact details:
Ashley Martin
Ashley Martin Communications
Tel: 01733 390691, 07801 434338
Email: ashley.martin32@btopenworld.com
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About Jaama
Jaama is a fleet software and occupational road safety specialist. As a certified Microsoft® development partner, Jaama uses the latest technology to provide customers with greater integration, control and automation. It brings innovative vehicle management software to fleet operators, contract hire and leasing companies. And Jaama is the first to combine fleet management software and risk management services to help customers meet their driver health and safety responsibilities under occupational road safety regulations.
http://www.jaama.co.uk
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