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New ultra-low emission zone in central London
A new ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) is now in force in central London, covering the same area as the congestion charge. Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles are being charged to enter the ULEZ area at any time – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone:
- £12.50 for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tonnes)
- £100 for heavier vehicles, including lorries (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses/coaches (over 5 tonnes)
Anybody who does not pay the charge will face a fine of £160, although a first offence may result in only a warning letter.
Drivers can find out if their vehicle meets the emissions standards required for the ULEZ and/or the low emission zone (LEZ) by using Transport for London’s (TfL) vehicle checker.
Transport for London (TfL) hopes the move will reduce the number of polluting cars in the capital and estimates about 40,000 vehicles will be affected every day. It expects the initial scheme will lead to a reduction in toxic emissions from road transport by about 45% in two years. The ULEZ is expected to be expanded to cover the entire area between the North and South Circular roads in 2021.
Photo: Albrecht Fietz/Pixabay
News Item details
Journal title: Petroleum Review
Subjects: Environmental protection, Road transport, Energy policy, Carbon emissions
