Vivalda has adopted six new HGVs to ensure it meets emissions standards due to be introduced for London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) from April 8.

Investing more than £300,000 in five Mercedes Benz Actros 2532L models and a DAF CF330 truck, the business says it has acted decisively to ensure unhindered access to sites across the capital.

All the vehicles in Vivalda’s new, fully-liveried fleet are Euro VI compliant, meaning that they will be exempt from fines levied on all cars, vans and lorries that fail the new ULEZ standards for central London.

Ben Jayes (pictured), managing director of Vivalda Group, which also includes the PURA Facades brand, said: “As a responsible business, these new regulations have been on our agenda for some time now, which has enabled us to plan ahead and invest in our new fleet.

“Obviously, the environment is important to us all, but so is business continuity and maintaining a competitive cost base for our customers.

“It is concerning that so few businesses have apparently prepared for the ULEZ in London and similar schemes in other UK cities.”

In fact, a survey carried out by the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association) last year, highlighted the fact that more than half of SMEs in the South East were unaware of the impending low emission laws.

Vivalda’s new liveried fleet will also futureproof the business from potential fines expected to be levied on polluting vehicles entering other UK cities, such as Birmingham and Leeds.