Right, quick update... Got an email from TFL as a 'contributor' to the consultation.
It looks like the low emission zone it's going ahead anyway in 2020... big suprise
.. Here's a few excerpts from the email..
"...After considering the feedback from the consultation, the Mayor confirmed the ULEZ will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the same area as the current Congestion Charging zone (CCZ) from 7 September 2020. All cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses and heavy vehicles will need to meet emission standards (ULEZ standards) or pay an additional daily charge to travel within the zone. In addition, I can confirm that we are committed to ensuring all double deck buses operating in central London will be hybrid and all single deck will be zero emission (eg. electric) by this time. .... "
".....In response to the consultation, we have included some changes to the original proposals. Vehicles which are registered as ‘disabled’ or ‘disabled passenger vehicle’ tax class (‘disabled exemption’) will be granted a three year sunset period with a 100% discount, up until 6 September 2023[1].
In addition, for the purposes of the ULEZ standards, we have aligned our definition of an historic vehicle with the Government’s so that all vehicles with a ‘historic’ vehicle tax class will be exempt. ..."
So not as bad for older cars - most 3rd and 4th gen Camaros for example still won't be exempt for many years to come though.
There's some other cra@p about air quality, buses, and changes to taxis blah blah.. but that's pretty much it... So from 2020 things will change.. Doubtful Boris will be mayor then so maybe that help.. or be worse !