bxl_lad
Its not easy being green...
Hi,
I'm going to throw this one up for discussion... LEZ (Low emission zones) are springing up all over Europe, although it seems each country has its own definitions of these, but generally older engines are being excluded from major cities. Of course we can all appreciate why this will become the case, but we also have a vested interest in keeping our vans on the road...
Here in Belgium its possible to apply for exemption for certain vehicle types and motorhome is one of those (the vehicles papers have to show it is defined as such - so a self-build conversion will likely not be recognised...). Time will tell if the exemption process will be easy to achieve (here you have to apply for it and it will be reviewed every 3 years - mine, a 2001, will be exempt from Brussels from 2019 if I don't get an exemption). In Germany you can obtain a 'green' badge for a vehicle with a DPF (mine has, so we're good to go, for now, but in Belgium DPF or not it doesn't matter, it goes simply on the age and Euro class). I'm not sure of the rules for London for comparison... Other countries?
So... there are ways to work around some of these exclusions, but in the bigger picture, what will the LEZ effect be on the worth of our vehicles? For sure at some point the T4 will acquire 'old-timer' status (and then i think there are other rules for the LEZ's), but until then the very fact we're running clunky old diesels (and petrol) is bound to have an effect on where we can/can't go, value and marketability...
Whereas in the past classic cars/old-timers have had a rising value over time, do we expect this trend to continue given the 'demise' (ultimately) and vilification of the internal combustion engine...?
Long term, is there a future for owning vans like ours or will we be forced off the road and end up with worthless lumps that will only have scrap value??
Discuss...
I'm going to throw this one up for discussion... LEZ (Low emission zones) are springing up all over Europe, although it seems each country has its own definitions of these, but generally older engines are being excluded from major cities. Of course we can all appreciate why this will become the case, but we also have a vested interest in keeping our vans on the road...
Here in Belgium its possible to apply for exemption for certain vehicle types and motorhome is one of those (the vehicles papers have to show it is defined as such - so a self-build conversion will likely not be recognised...). Time will tell if the exemption process will be easy to achieve (here you have to apply for it and it will be reviewed every 3 years - mine, a 2001, will be exempt from Brussels from 2019 if I don't get an exemption). In Germany you can obtain a 'green' badge for a vehicle with a DPF (mine has, so we're good to go, for now, but in Belgium DPF or not it doesn't matter, it goes simply on the age and Euro class). I'm not sure of the rules for London for comparison... Other countries?
So... there are ways to work around some of these exclusions, but in the bigger picture, what will the LEZ effect be on the worth of our vehicles? For sure at some point the T4 will acquire 'old-timer' status (and then i think there are other rules for the LEZ's), but until then the very fact we're running clunky old diesels (and petrol) is bound to have an effect on where we can/can't go, value and marketability...
Whereas in the past classic cars/old-timers have had a rising value over time, do we expect this trend to continue given the 'demise' (ultimately) and vilification of the internal combustion engine...?
Long term, is there a future for owning vans like ours or will we be forced off the road and end up with worthless lumps that will only have scrap value??
Discuss...
...have you checked your roof lately? 
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