The Low Emission Writing is on The Wall For Glasgow

By Wilf Voss

The introduction at the end of 2018 of a low emissions zone in the centre of Glasgow starts a process which will affect many drivers, businesses and homeowners within the city. So, how do you prepare yourself for the forthcoming changes?

Apart from welcoming in the new year and the cracking of many bottles of champagne, Midnight on the 31st December 2018 will mark another key date for those who live and work within Glasgow as the new low emission zone will be introduced.

Initially there may be a sigh of relief as this first phase will only affect local buses within the city, however the clock will be ticking as the next phase will introduce stringent new rules for all vehicles entering the city’s central zone. It means now is the time to start planning and preparing for the second phase, and, with government grants available, there has never been a better time to prepare the infrastructure for a lower emission city.

Why Lower Emissions?

Now we have almost totally eliminated coal fired power stations, one of the largest producers of air pollution is transportation. More importantly the pollution produced is at street level which means it can be considerably more dangerous as it is more readily breathed in. Air pollution causes over 2,500 early deaths in Scotland annually, and costs the NHS over ￡6 Billion per year treating health conditions caused by air pollution.[1]

Air pollution has been shown to cause cancer and reduce our life expectancy. It can damage our lungs and blood, cause heart failure, and exacerbates asthma. It has recently been linked with dementia, diabetes, and obesity. It especially harmful to children, the elderly, and people living in poverty or made vulnerable from other health conditions. We have a responsibility to our children and future generations to look at reducing this serious health issue.

Friends of the Earth Scotland analysed official 2017 data for two key toxic pollutants – Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter. It showed that the recorded pollution levels continued to break Scottish and European air quality standards in four towns and cities across Scotland.

Low emission zones will start to make our towns and cities better, more healthy places to live.

Going Green

There have been improvements made with new petrol and diesel engines to reduce emissions, however, with these technologies there are always going to be harmful emissions created at street level as they are driven.

The truly effective alternative is to use one of the new range of electric vehicles which generate no emissions at source and, with renewable energy can be used to reduce the potential emissions to almost zero.

Electric vehicles now provide a credible solution for most drivers. Improvements in battery technology have improved the range and drivability to the point that recent research by the University of York has shown they are less stressful to drive and allow drivers to be more focused on the road.

Technology like regenerative braking which turns braking effort into power for the battery and a simple driving experience, only one pedal which directly controls speed and stopping and no gear box, lead to a simpler and more effective drive.

Most people use their vehicles to commute and for short journeys, which means that electric vehicles can be charged cost effectively overnight and while the driver is at the office to ensure the full mileage range is always available.

Infrastructure Requirements

Of course, one of the issues is we do not, as yet have the necessary infrastructure in place to allow for a full electric vehicle roll out. Therefore, the time before the full lower emission zone roll-out should be seen by homeowners, car park operators and employers as an opportunity to prepare and put in place the charging infrastructure that an electric vehicle future will require.

Electric vehicle charge points are a vital piece of the jigsaw. Soon it will be the case that each home and every workplace and destination car park will come supplied with points to allow electric vehicle drivers to top up their charge. It will mean that these vehicles will benefit from no emission zone charges, lower road tax payments and greatly reduced running costs for each vehicle.

Funding is available now for both homeowners and organisations to install charge points at a greatly reduced cost supported by government grants. Therefore, this should be a clarion call to investigate and be ready to embrace the future for minimal cost.

Currently the UK needs a 600% increase in charging facilities to meet the expected demand. This is starting to happen, you will see charging points at every motorway service station and now at enlightened destinations and workplaces.

As a car park operator you can offer a unique selling point, providing charge points will guarantee electric vehicle drivers use your facilities. As an employer providing charging infrastructure for your colleagues will allow you to minimise fleet fuel and running costs not only supporting your companies green credentials but also a board pleasing effect on the bottom line costings!

The Time is Now!

It is all too easy to say the low emission zone is years away. However, we know how quickly time will pass and to ignore the issue now could seriously affect your business in the not too distant future.

Acting now will allow you to benefit from the attractive government incentives for infrastructure and know that you are ready for the steady growth in electric vehicle take up, due to explode soon as more people become aware of the many benefits.

[1] Research published by the Universities of Oxford and Bath