Zero-emission freight zone could save millions for NHS, report finds

• New analysis finds a zero-emission freight zone in central London would deliver healthcare savings of £50m annually and cut 285,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions 
• London lagging behind other European cities set to operate zero emission freight zones from next year 
• New report sets out a five-year roadmap to support businesses transitioning to electric and pedal powered freight in London

New data released today (Thursday) reveals a zero-emission zone for freight vehicles in central London would save the NHS and healthcare services more than £50 million a year, equivalent to the salary of nearly 1,500 nurses.   

The report commissioned by Clean Cities highlights the steps needed from the Mayor of London and the Government to meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines and prevent health conditions such as asthma, heart disease and strokes. 

The findings were launched at an event hosted by Clean Cities with a panel including Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport and Deputy Chair of Transport for London, alongside the government Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), Just Economics, Transport & Environment, and the Climate Group.

All of London exceeds WHO air pollution guidelines, contributing to the premature deaths of 4,000 Londoners every year. HGVs and vans make up 20 per cent of vehicles in inner London and account for 39 per cent of all NOx road transport emissions.  

The report also calculates that a zero-emission freight zone in central London – prioritising access for electric and pedal powered freight – would reduce CO2 emissions by 285,000 tonnes in 2030 in its first year, roughly equivalent to the total CO2 savings from the first four years of ULEZ.  

This level of carbon reduction would reduce ‘damage costs’ to London’s productivity and the environment by almost £90m each year, according to models used by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

A pathway towards a zero-emission freight zone in London includes continuing the congestion charging exemption for electric freight vehicles, a targeted scrappage scheme for polluting diesel lorries and vans, better charging infrastructure and a national subsidy or loan scheme for SMEs to fund second-hand purchases of battery powered vans. 

The latest research shows the capital is falling behind cities in the race to net zero, such as Amsterdam and Stockholm which will have zero emission freight zones operational from next year.