Just months after originally blocking plans for non-compliant Ulez vehicles to be sent to Ukraine, Sadiq Khan has reversed his decision after being told there is no legal barrier preventing the cars from being shipped to Eastern Europe.
Khan had previously sent a letter to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko that said the requests to donate non-compliant vehicles to Ukraine instead of scrapping them did not ‘meet the legal threshold’.
The plans to send 4x4s and other suitable vehicles that would otherwise be scrapped will now be actioned with their owners still receiving payment as part of the Ulez scrappage scheme.
The announcement coincides with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion which has damaged Ukraine's health care system and infrastructure.
Mr Khan said: “Two years on from Russia's devastating illegal invasion of Ukraine, I continue to do all I can to help those affected, including supporting Ukrainians seeking help in London and signposting where Londoners can make donations.
“Alongside the human toll of the conflict, there has been a significant impact on Ukraine's infrastructure, and these plans to donate non-compliant vehicles will help meet medical and humanitarian needs while also helping to remove old polluting vehicles from London's roads.
“The scrappage scheme is open to all Londoners with an eligible non-Ulez compliant vehicle and is playing a key part in my mission to clean up our city's toxic air.”
Eduard Fesko, representing the Ukrainian embassy in the UK, said: “This initiative can benefit Ukraine and London greatly, and the embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom is proud to support this initiative and encourages all charity organisations and volunteer groups to join this effort.”