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The New London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): 2 months to go

By Amanda | 13-02-2019

London bound business vehicles need to prepare

Air quality related deaths are the third-largest killer in the UK after cancer and cardiovascular diseases with a cost to the NHS of around £11 billion, based on research done by the British Lung Foundation.

The Government’s long-term strategy to improve air quality across the country is to discourage the use of older, more polluting, vehicles, and encourage the use of compliant vehicles, bicycles and public transport.  In the short term, the aim is to reduce the number of areas in the UK where air pollution breaches legal limits.

For ten years London has successfully operated a Low Emission Zone and a Congestion Zone (ULEZ). Plans are to introduce a phased implementation of tighter emissions standards that will affect different vehicle types and different geographical areas within London, starting with the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on 8 April 2019. The ULEZ will be applicable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.  This will be in addition to the weekday Congestion Charge and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charge and will replace the T-Charge.

The zone will initially apply to the same area as the current Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) but beginning in October 2021, the ULEZ area will be expanded to include the inner London area that is bounded by the North and South Circular roads.

ULEZ zones

Zone and penalty Charges(if ULEZ standards are not met by your vehicle)

£12.50 for most vehicle types (cars, motorcycles, and vans up to and including 3.5 tonnes.)  

Penalty charge: £160, which is reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days

 

£100 for heavier vehicles (including lorries over 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes.)

Penalty charge: £1,000, reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days

Cars: Minimum emission standards

Petrol: Euro 4
Diesel: Euro 6

The ULEZ will be enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age. However

  • Petrol cars that meet the ULEZ standards are generally those registered with the DVLA after 2005, although cars that meet the standards have been available since 2001
  • Diesel cars that meet the standards are generally those registered with the DVLA after September 2015

Vans and minibusses:

Petrol: Euro 4

Diesel: Euro 6

Includes;

  • Small vans weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight
  • Larger vans, 4X4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, pickups over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
  • Ambulances and motor caravans - 2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes
  • Minibusses carrying more than 8 passengers, not over 5 tonnes

The ULEZ will be enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age, however:

  • All new diesel vans sold from September 2016 should meet the Euro 6 standard
  • All petrol vans registered with the DVLA from January 2006 meet the Euro 4 standard

Trucks

The ULEZ will be enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age, but Euro VI engines are generally those registered with the DVLA after 2014. 

Discounts and Exemptions

There are some exemptions to the new zone charges including taxi, vehicles for disabled people, not for profit minibusses and showman’s vehicles, for a full list go to tfl.gov.uk. You can also check your vehicle by visiting the link below.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone

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