Technical Fiat Ducato 2.8JTD rapido motorhome reg June 2006 3850kg

[Caroline Jane]

Hello can somebody please tell me how I find out if this engine is compliant with the 2012 Low Emission Zone (LEZ). According to the TFL site it is not as it was registered before October 06. From my research I understand some engine manufacturers were early adopters as far back as 02 however I am struggling to find out one way or the other. I phoned Fiat UK but they could not help me. We live inside the LEZ zone and need to consider our options very soon so any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

Hi,

My van (2.8JTD engine & same chassis as yours) was also registered in June 2006 but is shown as compliant on the TFL LEZ website.

I checked this by entering the registration number on http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/17700.aspx#tkt-tab-panel-3

 

[HughJampton]

I would assume that Crossingkeeper's van is 3500kg MAM, whereas the Rapido has probably been registered at 3850kg, and therefore needs to be Euro IV from next January to be compliant.

My previous 'van was also a 3850kg vehicle, registered in Oct 2005 and would have been non-compliant from January.

AFAIK (and I am not an expert) the 2.8JTD was only ever Euro III compliant (with a little bit of a question in my mind about those equipped with a catalyst, which mine wasn't). This engine was ceratainly fitted in advance of the requirement to be Euro III compliant, but I think the Euro IV compliance defeated it.

If all is as above, it might be possible to downrate the vehicle to 3500kg, or investigate having an aftermarket particle filter added (not cheap, and I believe a bit of a bind with potential annual re-certification, but I think they are starting to be available for the Ducato).

 

[Crossingkeeper]

Further to my previous reply the December issue of the Caravan Club magazine states that diesel-engined motorhomes with a GVW of over 2.5 tonnes need to meet Euro 3 emissions standard from Jan 3rd 2012 to be able to enter the LEZ without penalty.

However the article also says that vehicles registered after 1st Jan 2002 should meet this standard.

 

[HughJampton]

To Crossingkeeper:

Indeed, Motorcaravans between 2.5 and 3.5T (max) MAM are required to be Euro III compliant from Jan 2012.

Motorcaravans above 3.5T MAM, however, are required to be Euro IV compliant.

You may have a virtually identical Ducato base to the OP, but if the MAM values are in the two different categories, then different rules will apply.

Many Rapidos were registered at 3.85T (I know, I had a September 2002 registered one) and at this weight would not be compliant from January.

If the OP were to downgrade the MAM of the vehicle, (which is entirely possible for many Rapidos, but may or may not be a practical thing to do for the particular vehicle in question - given the reduction in payload this would lead to) then it would change categories, and magically (or at least after informing TfL of the change) become compliant.

Daft, isn't it?

 

[Crossingkeeper]

To Crossingkeeper:

You may have a virtually identical Ducato base to the OP, but if the MAM values are in the two different categories, then different rules will apply.

Apologies if I have mislead anyone, my van is also rated at 3850kg MAM but was shown as being compliant from 3rd of Jan 2012 when entering the registration number on the TfL website.

However on studying the required specifications it obviously won't be!

 

[HughJampton]

Sorry to be the bringer of (potentially) bad news.

Whilst all checks are likely to be by reg no, I don't know that I'd like to risk it.

If it's any consolation, when searching by reg no my current 'van, which is both 3500kg MAM, and Euro IV compliant, was shown as non-compliant from Jan 2012, before I disabused TfL.

IMO, their systems really are not fit-for-purpose.:nerner: