A new industry led programme, called LoCITY, to reduce emissions among London’s freight and fleet operators has been launched by London’s Transport Commissioner Mike Brown.

The five year programme is designed to increase the availability and uptake of low emission vans and lorries. It is hoped that this will create new environmental operating standards and contractual clauses for procurements bodies.

A statement issued on 27 January by Transport for London (TfL) said, “LoCITY will also demonstrate, through research and real world trials, that using these cleaner vehicles will not negatively impact operations.”

Brown said of the new programme, “Over the next five years LoCITY will begin improving London’s air quality by encouraging the take up of low emission vehicles. We’re working with vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers and the industry to make these vehicles a realistic choice for operators. Together we can improve London’s air quality, and by supporting the freight sector – which is essential for our city to function – we will have a real impact.

“The Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) programme has shown this style of collaborative industry-led approach works – many lorries of the highest safety standards are now in use. LoCITY will help the industry as a whole continue to develop, whilst delivering a cleaner London.”

Boris Johnson MP, the Mayor of London added: “LoCITY will form part of a series of strong measures I’m delivering to tackle air quality and safe guard the health and well-being of Londoners, but I’m fully aware much more needs to be done. Helping the freight industry is key to the success of the Ultra Low Emission Zone. I am confident that the strict tightening of our emission standards will help dramatically improve air quality and lower NO2 across the city.”

The aim is to get industry to lead rather than to legislate. In the industry leading so it is hoped that it will be more widely supported than legislation.