In April 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was an initiative introduced by the Mayor of London in order to reduce London’s air pollution. Initially, the area covered under the ULEZ was Central London, but from October 5th 2021, this will be expanding to cover a much wider space. This means that if you travel within this zone in a vehicle that does not meet ULEZ standards, you will be liable to pay a daily charge. Allow us to walk you through everything you need to know to ensure you avoid paying excessive fees when travelling in London.
What is the ULEZ?
The ULEZ is a specified area of London that requires drivers to pay a daily charge of £12.50 if they enter it within a vehicle that does not meet ULEZ emissions standards. This zone operates 24/7, 364 days a year (excluding Christmas Day). Current emissions standards are:
- Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds and motorised tricycles and quadricycles.
- Euro 4 for petrol cars, vans and other specialist vehicles and minibuses.
- Euro 6 for diesel cars, vans and other specialist vehicles and minibuses.
If you are unsure whether your vehicle meets emissions standards, you can use the TFL vehicle checker to find out what charges you are eligible to pay.
What areas are covered in the ULEZ expansion?
The new expanded zone will see a significant increase from the initial ULEZ, as it now covers the area in between, but not including the North Circular Road (A406) all the way down to the South Circular Road (A205). The new zone covers the following areas and others further into London:
- Battersea
- Brixton
- Clapham
- Greenwich
- Hammersmith
- Harlesden
- Lewisham
- Peckham
- Stratford
- Tottenham
- Walthamstow
- Willesden
It is important to be aware that you will have to pay the daily ULEZ charge on top of the weekday Congestion Charge which costs £15, although the zone for this charge will remain the same.
Are any vehicles exempt?
The short answer to this question is yes, but which vehicles? Let’s take a look at the specifics…
- Any petrol car registered from 2005 onwards may be exempt from the ULEZ charge, as well as a select few dating back to 2001.
- Almost every diesel car registered from 1 September 2015 will be exempt, although it is worth checking to avoid any confusion.
- All electric vehicles will be exempt.
- For vans, minibuses or other larger vehicles, despite the fact that they may meet LEZ standards, they are not guaranteed to comply to ULEZ regulations. Take a look at the guidelines to find out more.
At Double Dee Autos, our expert mechanics can carry out servicing and repairs on both ULEZ compliant and non-compliant vehicles. We can advise you on the steps to take if you are looking to upgrade to a lower emission vehicle and how to best care for your car. To get more information on what we can do for you, or to get your vehicle booked in with us, call now on 020 8460 3040 or email ddautosbromley@outlook.com.