The level of air pollution in London is very high, which is why the British authorities are tightening up the rules on the entry of vehicles not only into central London, but also throughout the city. In two weeks’ time, the UK’s capital will launch the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Such measures are intended to help cleanse the dangerously polluted air and improve public health.
From 8 April 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be introduced in central London. In order to improve air quality, most vehicles, including cars and vans, will have to comply with stricter emission standards (ULEZ standards) or pay a daily rate for driving in the ULEZ area.
From 25 October 2021, the ULEZ area will be extended to the outskirts of London (yellow marked areas).
Any vehicle meeting the ULEZ standard will be able to travel in the zone without paying the LEZ charge – under certain conditions.
Ultra Low Emission Zone will replace T-Charge. The daily charge will be calculated from midnight to midnight, 7 days a week, each day of the year in the same area as the current Congestion Charge Zone.
For diesel cars, Euro 6 was mandatory for all new vehicles sold from September 2016. Such vehicles shall comply with any requirements introduced in the ULEZ zone.
Diesel trucks, buses, coaches, caravans, motorhomes, motorised horse boxes, larger vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles must also meet the emissions standards at ULEZ.
ATTENTION! The basis for avoiding high fines is still the requirement to register the vehicle in the LEZ TfL register.
The new zone will not be free of charge. If the vehicle does not meet the specified requirements, a daily fee will be required:
– £12.50 for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tonnes),
– £100 for heavier vehicles, including trucks (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses/coaches (over 5 tonnes).
Requirements applicable in the ULEZ zone, exempting from charges:
– Passenger cars:
Minimum emission standards: petrol – Euro 4, diesel – Euro 6
Charges (if the ULEZ standards have NOT been met):
Daily ULEZ charge: £12.50
Fine for failing to pay the ULEZ charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if payment is made within 14 days)
– Vans:
- a) Small vans (weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight),
- b) Larger vans, 4×4 light utility vehicles, motorised horse boxes, delivery (over 1.125 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
- c) Ambulances and motor vehicles (2.5 to 3.5 tonnes),
- d) Minibuses (more than 8 passenger seats, not more than 5 tonnes).
Minimum emission standards: petrol – Euro 4, diesel – Euro 6
Daily ULEZ charge: £12.50
Fine for failing to pay the ULEZ charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if payment is made within 14 days)
– Motorcycles, mopeds:
Minimum emission standards: all vehicles will have to meet the Euro 3 emission standards.
Daily ULEZ charge: £12.50
Fine for failing to pay the ULEZ charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if payment is made within 14 days)
– Trucks, coaches and larger vehicles:
- a) Trucks
- b) Buses and coaches (over 8 passenger seats, gross vehicle weight over 5 tonnes)
- c) Motorised boxes for horses (gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonnes)
- d) Snow ploughs
- e) Gritters
- f) Sweepers
- g) Concrete mixer trucks
- h) Firefighting vehicles
- i) Dumpers
- j) Dismantling trucks (gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonnes)
Minimum emission standards: all vehicles in this category will have to meet the Euro 6 emission standards.
Daily charge: £100
Fine for failing to pay the charge: £1,000 (reduced to £500 if payment is made within 14 days)
This charge is in addition to the city centre entrance charge and the low emission zone (LEZ) charge and will replace T-Charge.
Payment methods
– Register for Auto Pay (administration fee of £10 per vehicle) – it will be extended with ULEZ payments.
– Download the free official TfL application and pay from 8 April 2019.
– Pay by phone UK: 0343 222 2222 (TfL call charges) International: +44 20 7649 9122 Text Phone: 020 7649 9123 (if you have a hearing impairment)
Zone information boards
The area covered by ULEZ will be clearly marked with signs. There will be no barriers or toll booths. Cameras will record license plates of vehicles entering ULEZ to check the database for compliance with emission standards.
Road signs will be located before the entrance to the ULEZ zone and at key junctions. They will be placed next to or below the existing Congestion Charge signs.
ULEZ will apply 24/7, 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays. It will cover the same territory as the Congestion Charge Zone until 2021. Entry signs at each border point will tell you when you are in the zone.
Information signs will appear in advance on the main roads at a distance of approximately 0.5 miles from the border of entry into the zone.
Warning signs will appear before ULEZ is launched to indicate where the new zone will apply from April 2019.
Images: Transport for London