Keith Riding next to his electric MG ZS (Image: Keith Riding / SWNS)
Keith Riding, 76, was charged twice for entering the capital’s Low Emission Zone (Lez) and twice for being caught in the Ultra Low Emission Zones (Ulez) – despite his car being fully electric and therefore exempt from such charges
The retired civil engineer, who lives in Hampton on the edge of London’s Ulez zone, was gifted a personalised number plate for his electric MG ZS by his children last Christmas.
After registering his new plate with the DVLA and setting up autopay with TfL for the Congestion Zone, Mr Riding was stunned to find that £625 had been siphoned from his account by the transport authority since the change. Despite his vehicle being exempt from such fees, he was erroneously charged for entering both the Low Emission Zone (Lez) and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez).
It appears the mix-up may stem from the previous owner of the registration plate, potentially from Northern Ireland, who might have used a commercial vehicle.
“It’s a funny thing,” Mr Riding remarked, having driven his electric car for two years without issue until the new number plate came into play.
Keith Riding’s electric MG ZS. (Image: Keith Riding / SWNS)
“But recently I suddenly found myself being debited for £625. It was a shock. The car is little used and the charge transpired to be for just two days.
“What that entails is £300 for the vehicle going into the Lez zone twice, and £12.50 for going into the Ulez zone twice. There are no emissions charges for electric vehicles, but the congestion charge in central London does apply.
“I registered for auto payment with TfL as I expect to occasionally enter the congestion zone for my medical condition treatment.
“The only reason I registered was in case I go into the Congestion Zone.
“If I’d been caught on a camera every day, I could have a £9,000 bill at the end of the month.”
Mr Riding said his car is even listed on his TfL account as an ‘MG ZS SE EV’ – clearly marking it as an electric vehicle. “A previous owner of the plates would have been a commercial vehicle that would probably have never been near London,” he added.
“The number plate ends with a Z, which is common for plates in Northern Ireland.
“On seeing my bank statement I phoned TfL, expecting an apology and speedy reimbursement – but not a bit of it. I was merely advised to make an online inquiry.”
Keith Riding’s electric MG ZS (Image: Keith Riding / SWNS)
However, the situation has since been rectified according to TfL, with a spokesperson addressing the error: “We are sorry that Mr Riding has incorrectly received ULEZ and LEZ charges when his vehicle is compliant.”
They confirmed action had been taken: “We have refunded all the charges and have contacted him to apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.”
Mr Riding responded: “I do have hopes that reimbursement of my funds will eventually be forthcoming, but it’s proving a warning as to what could happen with a new plate.”
He also warned of the potential financial drain, stating: “Several more daily charges of £312.50 would drain me of thousands of pounds with impunity.”