What is ULEZ?

What is the ULEZ Zone?

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is an initiative to improve air quality by reducing the impact of vehicle emissions. The ULEZ was initially launched in 2019 and covered the same area as the Congestion Charge Zone in central London. In 2021, the ULEZ expanded to include all areas within the North and South Circular roads (A406 and A205). This year, it is set to expand even further into all of Greater London.

Why is the ULEZ being expanded?

Vehicles are the biggest cause of nitrogen dioxide particle emissions in London. This air pollution has a detrimental impact on the health of people in the city, contributing to serious conditions such as cancer, asthma, lung disease and dementia, as well as lower life expectancy for Londoners. This is not just an issue within central London, the outer city regions are also significantly affected. This is the reason for the expansion of the ULEZ.

When will the planned ULEZ expansion be implemented?

The ULEZ expansion will take effect on the 29th of August 2023. From this date, driving a vehicle which does not meet the emission standards through the broadened zone will be charged a daily rate of £12.50 for doing so.

Which areas will the ULEZ cover after the expansion?

The ULEZ expansion will cover a much larger portion of the city. The zone boundary roughly aligns with the edge of the Greater London Authority area with some exceptions due to road safety reasons. TfL has provided a map of the proposed zone on their website (featured below). You can also use the postcode checker on the official website to find out if certain areas are included in the ULEZ.

The inner blue shading represents the current ULEZ and the green shading represents the significantly larger ULEZ expansion that is due. The red outlined area in the centre represents the Congestion Charge (CC) zone.

Is my vehicle ULEZ compliant?

In order to be compliant, your vehicle will have to meet the relevant Euro emissions standard. For motorbikes, the Euro 3 standard will apply. For petrol cars and vans, the Euro 4 (NOx) standards apply. For diesel cars and vans, the Euro 6 (NOx and PM) standard must be met. If you are unsure, you can check whether or not your vehicle is ULEZ compliant on the TfL website. The Euro emissions standard may also be listed in your vehicle logbook if you have a relatively new vehicle.

What can I do if my car is not compliant?

If you drive within the expanded ULEZ from 29 August 2023 in a vehicle that does not meet the emissions standards, you will be hit with a daily charge of £12.50. If you frequently travel in or through the city, it is worth weighing up the costs of this charge against the cost of buying a new, ULEZ-compliant vehicle.

ULEZ scrappage scheme

A scrappage scheme has been introduced, providing grant payments to incite people to scrap their non-compliant vehicles and switch to cleaner, greener options. If your application is successful, you could receive £2,000 (£5,000 for wheelchair accessible vehicles). Essex Car Company have a range of used cars in Essex which you may choose to put the grant money toward!