London Ultra Low Emissions Zone proposal consultation

In March, following a public consultation, the Mayor confirmed that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be launched in central London on 7 September 2020, significantly improving air quality and helping to protect the health of Londoners. It will require vehicles travelling in the Congestion Charge Zone of central London to meet new emission standards 24 hours a day, seven days a week or pay a daily charge.

At the same time, TfL also proposed changes to taxis and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing requirements to reduce emissions from these fleets and increase the number of taxis and PHVs capable of operating with zero emissions. In light of concerns raised by the taxi and PHV trade organisations during the consultation, the Mayor asked TfL to undertake additional engagement and to bring forward revised licensing proposals, before confirming these changes.

TfL are now consulting on updated proposals for taxis and PHV licensing as follows:

• The introduction of a voluntary decommissioning scheme for taxis older than 10 years (instead of the reduction in the age limit to 10 years originally proposed)
• A requirement that all taxis and new PHVs new to licensing from January 2018 will be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) (this is as per the original consultation but with some modifications now proposed).

This consultation presents more information in the following areas:

• A voluntary decommissioning scheme for taxis
• Other age limit options considered for taxis
• An update on the production of ZEC taxis and ZEC PHVs
• Financial assistance to purchase ZEC taxis
• TfL’s approach to charging infrastructure for ZEC taxis, ZEC PHVs and other electric commercial vehicles