Electric vans and trucks will be loaned to businesses in Sutton and Croydon as part of a scheme to help tackle London’s growing air pollution concerns.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Transport for London (TfL) injected £1.4m into projects that aim to combine green technology with initiatives such as ‘zero emissions zones’ to bring down toxic air levels in the capital.

He announced the move as a “very high” alert was put out after Ladbroke Grove in North Kensington registered a 10/10 for pollution levels on Monday, January 23.

The electric vehicles, worth about £123,305, will be loaned to businesses in the Beddington industrial area as part of the 'neighbourhoods of the future' initiative to reduce pollution caused by construction in Croydon.

Schemes will also be rolled out in Hammersmith and Fulham, Heathrow, Harrow, Haringey and boroughs bordering on the City.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, chair of the environment and neighbourhood committee at Sutton Council, said: “Air pollution is a serious issue that affects communities across London. Redevelopment and construction projects in Sutton can have a temporary effect on pollution levels.

“To help alleviate this impact we are pleased to be able to loan electric vehicles to businesses in the Beddington Industrial Area, thanks to our successful TfL Neighbourhoods of the Future bid.”

Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “Tackling London’s poor air quality is a public health emergency that requires bold action at all levels of Government.

"These six innovative schemes will play a direct role cleaning the up toxic air in neighbourhoods across London, and could lead the way for similar schemes across the UK.

“It’s only by working closely with councils, businesses and local communities across London that we can fulfil our ambition of being a world leader in tackling the air pollution crisis.”