Company car living in London how long would a Diesel be ULEZ

[alex075]

Hi All, I’ve got a decision to make
I have a new job that offers a company car allowance (1K per month before taxes ~ 600 per month after taxes). I’ve got a pretty lengthy commute from London to Milton Keynes (around 100 miles round trip), but I have the flexibility to WFH, but sometimes I have to visit clients in the UK. Heart says used 535d/530d (around 2016 MY), but my mind says electric, I’ve checked and I could afford a Hyundai Kona 64Kw/h through the mocean scheme without putting a penny on maintenance, insurance and I could charge the car for free at the office. And I could charge on the street outside my house with the ubitricity chargers on the lamp posts.

My question is, I know the 535d/530d is ULEZ exempt now. But how long will it be before they change something and decide the car is not ULEZ anymore? I know there is an expansion coming soon, but the car will still be exempt. Realistically I will keep this car 4 years.

I am not particularly excited about the Kona tbh, and the 5 series, I would probably end up spending some of my money in diesel. I currently drive a manual E92 330i which is brilliant, but is a high mileage example (120k), and I need something with “newish” looking with at least 4 doors for my job.

I would hate to buy the diesel car and then end up selling it 2 years down the road, because they have changed the emission standard on the ULEZ. What would you recommend?

TIA

[vikingaero]

How long is a piece of string?

Given past performance, Sadiq could put Euro6 diesels into the pay camp within a year.

[alex075]

vikingaero said:

How long is a piece of string?

Given past performance, Sadiq could put Euro6 diesels into the pay camp within a year.

Yeah thanks, that is what I am afraid, that from one day to the other they wipe out all euro6 diesels, and then I end up trying to get rid of this car I am still paying a lease, to swap for a petrol or electric.

Its a shame as I would love the F10 diesel but its quite risky...

[braddo]

Euro7 isn't out yet and it might be some time before it is, I believe? If all new diesels are still euro6 today, they're not going to bring in a euro6 ban for some considerable time. Especially as there is such a move away from diesels anyway, there is limited benefit to removing the ULEZ exemption for Euro6 diesels.

What sort of economy would the 530/535 get? There must be petrol options around that aren't much less economical and emit a fraction of the Nox etc in comparison (and are future proofed against ULEZ).

[alex075]

braddo said:

Euro7 isn't out yet and it might be some time before it is, I believe? If all new diesels are still euro6 today, they're not going to bring in a euro6 ban for some considerable time. Especially as there is such a move away from diesels anyway, there is limited benefit to removing the ULEZ exemption for Euro6 diesels.

What sort of economy would the 530/535 get? There must be petrol options around that aren't much less economical and emit a fraction of the Nox etc in comparison (and are future proofed against ULEZ).

Thanks Braddo, so Euro 7 is still far away (2025 I think), but after Euro 6 there is Euro 6D Temp and Euro6D. The 530/535d I am looking at are Euro 6, I've read and Paris and Madrid are looking to ban Euro 6 cars from their capitals, so I am afraid that London might follow soon. I think a 530 gets around 40-50MPG. Is just the combination of good torque, long range, and refinement of the inline 6 bmw engine, but yeah you are right there might be a petrol alternative, that could future-proof it.

[omniflow]

As someone who has never owned a diesel car (and never will) - why on earth would you want one over an electric car?

The only reason that I could possibly conceive of is that you regularly drive over 250 miles in a single day.

[QJumper]

omniflow said:

As someone who has never owned a diesel car (and never will) - why on earth would you want one over an electric car?

The only reason that I could possibly conceive of is that you regularly drive over 250 miles in a single day.

I wouldn't choose diesel either, but maybe the OP can't find an electric car that he likes within his price range. I'm sure I could conceive of other reasons too without trying too hard.

[mario64]

Would your budget stretch to a 545e?

The six-cylinder petrol/electric drivetrain is a masterpiece and it will be future proof.

[dogbucket]

I have the same situation although I already own a non ulez diesel and have gone for an electric lease. Numbers favored that over a 6 year old ICE car on HP.

[ZX10R NIN]

You'll be fine for quite a while Euro7 isn't even close & the next planned change for ULEZ is for petrol cars to be Euro5 minimum.

[anonymous-user]

Paris are banning all diesel cars on January 1st 2024, and all ICE cars by 2030.

It is only a matter of time before London does the same. Not many car manufacturers offer a diesel option now, will they even bother creating Euro 7 diesel engines?

[RizzoTheRat]

This being PH, surely this an excuse to get a efficient company car, and a fun private car.

Would something like a 330e be an option? Only about 20 miles on electric but as you can charge at work istwould be pretty efficient on a 50 miles commute, and still have the range for longer trips.

[raspy]

Don't they have a salary sacrifice scheme at work? Lease a quick-ish EV with above average range for UK travels and you'll not be missing a 6 year old BMW diesel when it comes to refinement and torque.

[maz8062]

alex075 said:

Hi All, I’ve got a decision to make
but my mind says electric, I’ve checked and I could afford a Hyundai Kona 64Kw/h through the mocean scheme without putting a penny on maintenance, insurance and I could charge the car for free at the office. And I could charge on the street outside my house with the ubitricity chargers on the lamp posts.

The Kona is a no brainer. No congestion charge (until 2023) free charging at your office and a 245 mile range, what’s not to like? Compare that to what it’d cost you to run the BM and you’ll soon see sense.

Perhaps the answer is the Kona and keep your existing BM, or the Kona plus something delicious for the weekends and sunny days.

I think you already know what the smart choice would be.

[raspy]

maz8062 said:

The Kona is a no brainer. No congestion charge (until 2023) free charging at your office and a 245 mile range, what’s not to like? Compare that to what it’d cost you to run the BM and you’ll soon see sense.

Perhaps the answer is the Kona and keep your existing BM, or the Kona plus something delicious for the weekends and sunny days.

I think you already know what the smart choice would be.

Actually no congestion charge until after 25 Dec 2025. OP should drive a Kona first. They are rather small inside.

[alex075]

mario64 said:

Would your budget stretch to a 545e?

The six-cylinder petrol/electric drivetrain is a masterpiece and it will be future proof.

Unfortunately no, I've checked and the 545e is out of my reach. But they do look rather nice!

[alex075]

maz8062 said:

alex075 said:

Hi All, I’ve got a decision to make
but my mind says electric, I’ve checked and I could afford a Hyundai Kona 64Kw/h through the mocean scheme without putting a penny on maintenance, insurance and I could charge the car for free at the office. And I could charge on the street outside my house with the ubitricity chargers on the lamp posts.

The Kona is a no brainer. No congestion charge (until 2023) free charging at your office and a 245 mile range, what’s not to like? Compare that to what it’d cost you to run the BM and you’ll soon see sense.

Perhaps the answer is the Kona and keep your existing BM, or the Kona plus something delicious for the weekends and sunny days.

I think you already know what the smart choice would be.

Thanks for all the replies, it got me thinking of the 330e, my ex-boss drove one and he loved it although his commute was less than 20 miles, so he could do it in fully electric. I've reached out to the goverment and asked the question although it seems they are not changing any of the requirements any time soon their reply is a bit vague, and I don't trus the goverment, but who does nowadays. (See reply below)

I've sat on a Kona in the dealership and I am fully aware is the smart option, and I wouldn't have to spend a penny. I been spoiled by my BMW and although is a 16 year old stbox, the build quality and comfort is still much better than a brand new Kona. I think my plan for now is to get the Kona and keep the E92 just in case the electric car doesn't work out. Worst case scenario I can give it back after 6 months. Unfortunately my company doesn't have salary sacrifice as it is a very small company but I'll look into it to see if I can strecth my allowance to something a bit nicer than the Kona. But still range is my #1 priority.

[vikingaero]

Sadiq/TfL/Mayor of London need all the money they can get. What's the easiest way to get income? Make all Euro6's pay, even if Euro7 isn't here. Taxing Euro6 will be a complete cashcow.

[braddo]

vikingaero said:

Sadiq/TfL/Mayor of London need all the money they can get. What's the easiest way to get income? Make all Euro6's pay, even if Euro7 isn't here. Taxing Euro6 will be a complete cashcow.

That basically becomes a congestion charge for all non-EV vehicles. Ain't gonna happen any time soon.

The trend is definitely towards road pricing in the long term but they won't leave EVs out of that.

[dmsims]

braddo said:

That basically becomes a congestion charge for all non-EV vehicles.

Petrol