Those out and about in Soho were left baffled as a green army tank charged its way through Dean Street on August 18.
The Abbot Self-Propelled Gun prowled around London, being spotted in Oxford Street, St James and some other tourist hot spots in the city.
To the relief of many Londoners, the gun attached to the grandiose motor is deactivated.
But the most bizarre part is not the sighting is the army tank itself, but the fact the vehicle avoids ULEZ charges.
The Transport for London website says that any motors that are classed in a historic vehicle bracket can avoid the £12.50 charge.
Londoners were left stunned as the unusual motor made its way to various tourist hot spots across the city. One Londoner said: ‘I’m here trying to get home on a Lime bike, while these brothers are taking a tank home from central London
This means any vehicle over the age of 40, including the tank built in 1965, can dodge the charge because it’s classed as a ‘classic car.’
Commercial vehicles over the age of 40 do not apply and can’t take advantage of the loophole.
The green tank was traced to a specialist tank experience company called Tanks-A-Lot.
Nick Mead, who is at helm of the business also owns more than 300 tanks. He told the Evening Standard: ‘Just the same way as you tax your car, I tax my tanks.’
The behemoth vehicle was reportedly hired by the wife of a wealthy businessman as part of his birthday celebrations.
The customers were chauffeured in unusual motor to see some of London’s most famous sights including Trafalgar Square and Big Ben.
The Ulez expansion will see drivers in outer London pay a £12.50 daily fee from August 29 if their vehicles do not meet required emissions standards. However the armoured vehicle built in 1965 avoids the ULEZ charge
The extravagant experience is a bit more expensive than your daily tube, with the trip and delivery from the tank’s company lot in Oxfordshire estimated to cost around £6,000.
Shocked by the armoured vehicle roaming through Central London, whilst filming @feybakare1 said:
‘Wait, what is going on? Brother, I am unbelievably confused. I’m here trying to get home on a Lime bike, while these brothers are taking a tank home from central London.’
One person commented: ‘Some people just have to stand out!’
Another quipped: ‘They think they’re in a movie.’
Mail Online has approached Tanks-A-Lot for comment.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
