Van fleet operators have been given a reprieve from London’s low emission zone (LEZ) regulations, which was due to bring LCVs within its scope from October 2010.

The regulations already cover trucks over 3.5 tonnes.

Phase three would have affected smaller vehicles, including vans and minibuses, and even camper vans.

Many van fleet operators who run the estimated 90,000 non-compliant vehicles that use the zone each year would have faced a bill of up to £2,000 for abatement equipment, or £15,000 for a new vehicle.

They would have alternatively faced £100 daily charges or fines of £500 for each day.

According to London Mayor Boris Johnson, these costs could have tipped firms into receivership and caused job losses. As a result, he has suspended its introduction and has begun a public consultation into whether this new phase of the LEZ regulation should even be introduced.

He said: “I want to do all I can to ease the burden of the economic downturn that is affecting us all at this time.

"Although the low emission zone has been successful in tackling the worst polluters, it is not the right time to press ahead with extending it.”