The ZEN Cleaner Air project in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham council seeks to
establish an electric van share for use by businesses located in the H&F part Park Royal industrial estate – some 150 businesses – to reduce freight impacts and tackle air pollution. Additionally, OPDC/PRBG are supplying an additional E Van to support the Brent/Ealing businesses in Park Royal, numbering approximately 1,500.
Park Royal is London’s largest and most successful Strategic Industrial Location, supporting around 1,700 businesses that employ around 40,000 people and generate £2.1bn GVA annually. The Mayor of London recognises that Park Royal “performs a vital role in supplying London and supporting the London economy”.
Air quality in Park Royal currently exceeds legal NO2 limits, and particularly negatively impacts sensitive receptors located in the estate, such as Central Middlesex Hospital and the Park Royal Montessori Nursery. ULEZ was expanded to cover Park Royal in October 2022, but still only 42% of Park Royal’s fleet is compliant with ULEZ emissions standards.
Given the large proportion of vans in Park Royal associated with the many businesses located in the estate, and the lack of second-hand ULEZ compliant vans on the UK market (only van models from 2016 comply with ULEZ standards), many businesses may struggle to meet the new emissions standards in time. Introducing an e-van share for use in Park Royal will help businesses comply with the ULEZ expansion and is a key step to tackling air pollution and transitioning Park Royal to zero emissions.
In addition, Park Royal streets suffer from prolific unregulated parking, affecting businesses’ ability to load and unload, and blocking footpaths that result in a poor public realm for pedestrians and cyclists. The e-van share will support the Mayor’s Healthy Streets Approach by incentivising businesses to move away from van ownership, reducing freight trips and freeing up space on Park Royal streets for people.
The ZEN project will establish an electric van share for use by businesses located within the H&F area of the Park Royal industrial estate in West London. Thirty days use will be entirely free to use for the first year of the scheme.
Find out more by getting in touch with sarah.spateri@westlondon.com
