4 December 2017

London Ultra-Low Emission Zone expansion consultation launched

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a public consultation on the next phase of his plans to tackle the capital’s toxic air, reduce emissions and protect the public from harmful pollution by expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The ULEZ standards would be applied London-wide for buses, coaches and lorries from 26th October 2020 and for cars, vans and motorbikes – with limited exemptions – up to the North and South circular roads from 25th October 2021.

The Mayor said he was determined to help thousands more Londoners breathe cleaner air and was delivering a series of measures to protect public health and dramatically reduce car emissions from older more polluting vehicles.

The first phase of these plans was recently delivered, introducing the new weekday (7am to 6pm Monday–Friday) £10 T-Charge (officially known as the Emissions Surcharge) in central London for the oldest vehicles. That runs alongside and on top of the £11.50 Congestion Charge (C-Charge).

From 8th April 2019, the Mayor is introducing the second phase of his plans with implementation of the ULEZ. It will replace the T-Charge and cover the same central area, alongside and on top of the C-Charge, but it will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The daily charge for non-compliant vehicles will increase from £10 to £12.50 for cars, vans and motorbikes, and £100 for buses, coaches and lorries.

The Mayor says the extension of the ULEZ in 2021 could affect 100,000 cars, 35,000 vans and 3,000 lorries every day.

Drivers of non-compliant cars, vans and motorbikes would pay the same £12.50 daily fee as the central London ULEZ, seven days a week. Drivers of non-compliant lorries, coaches and buses would pay £100 a day.

Diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 emission standards and most petrol vehicles that do not meet the Euro 4 standard would have to take action or pay, making the ULEZ the tightest emission standard adopted in any major world city.

The area covered by the expanded ULEZ would include all roads up to a limit of the North and South circular roads, but not the North and South circular roads themselves.

The fine for non-payment of the charge if a vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standard is £130 reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days for cars, vans and motorbikes – although the new consultation includes a suggestion that the fine could rise to £160 – and £1,000 reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days for lorries, buses and coaches.

Mr Khan said: ‘I am determined to take the bold action needed to protect the public from London’s poisonous, deadly air. I can’t ignore the shameful fact that London’s air is so toxic it harms children’s lungs, exacerbates chronic illness and contributes to thousands of premature deaths each year. Following the successful introduction of the T-Charge, and confirmation of the central London ULEZ, I am moving ahead with the next stage of my plan to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone up to the busy North and South Circular Roads.’

The consultation, which closes on 28 February, 2018, is accessible here.