What is ULEZ? - Our guide

What is the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)?

If you’ll be driving in London any time soon, read this blog before you set off! We’ll run through everything relating to Ultra-Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) and give you all the info you need to stay ULEZ compliant. We’ll cover what the ULEZ is, where you will find it and what ULEZ compliant means. We’ll also discuss how much the charge is and how to pay it and look into whetherhow the ULEZ has been working to reduce emissions and improving air quality, health and wellbeing in London.

What does ULEZ mean?

ULEZ stands for ‘Ultra-Low Emissions Zone’. It is a specified area within a town or city where which you will incur a charge for driving through unless your car meets specific emission requirements. The Ultra -Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) was created in London in 2014 to combat poor air quality and carbon emissions within Central London. It did not take effect until 2019 and was the first of its kind in the world.

The ULEZ was introduced to supplement the London 2008 Low Emissions Zone (LEZ). The initiative looked to encourage more people in Central London to walk, cycle or use public transport when travelling in the area. The UK Government also used the initiative to encourage more people to buy ULEZ compliant cars.

Where is the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone?

Launched in April 2019, the zone at this time , covered Central London only. In October 2021, the zone expanded to include inner London up to the North and South Circular Roads. It was then increased to the edge of the M25 motorway in August 2023.

The ULEZ is now 18 times the size of the original area and covers four million people – around 44% of London’s population.” – Mayor of London, 2023^[1]

The ULEZ is currently in effect in Greater London, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It covers all of London’s boroughs and the city centre. You can use Transport for London’s map tool to see the size and scope of the ULEZ. There are other zones throughout UK cities which are known as Clean Air Zones (CAZs) or Low Emission Zones (LEZs). These differ from the London ULEZ, as they use different standards.

What is ULEZ compliant?

ULEZ compliant is a term used to refer to vehicles which meet the minimum emission standards set by the UK Government. This also refers to ‘what does ULEZ exempt mean?’ and ‘what does ULEZ free mean?’. These vehicles will be able to travel into London’s ULEZ without incurring the £12.50 fee. These standards apply to every type of vehicle, including:

• Cars
• Vans
• Motorbikes
• Coaches
• Lorries

For your car to be ULEZ compliant, it must meet the minimum emission standards. These are Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol and Euro 6 (NOx and PM2.5) for diesel. These standards also apply to hybrid cars. If your car is an electric car, it is automatically considered to be ULEZ compliant. Classic vehicles which are more than 40 years old are also ULEZ compliant. You can check to see if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant by using Transport for London’s online ULEZ checker.

How much is the ULEZ charge?

The ULEZ charge is £12.50 if your car does not meet the minimum emission standards – Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol and Euro 6 (NOx and PM2.5) for diesel – when travelling within the zone.

The penalty charge for the ULEZ is £180. This will be reduced by half (£90) if the charge is paid within 14 days. You will only receive the penalty charge if your vehicle does not meet the minimum emission standards and you have not paid the £12.50 charge by midnight on the third day after travelling in the zone.

How to pay the ULEZ charge

You can pay a ULEZ charge on the Transport for London website; this is the only website you should use to pay the fee. You can create an account for the website, which can be useful if you use it regularly, or pay as a guest. There is also the option of AutoPay. Using this method will mean that ULEZ cameras keep track of how many times you drive in the zone and bill you automatically at the end of the month via your registered account.

The only other way to pay the ULEZ charge is to phone Transport for London directly and pay over the phone. The ULEZ fee must be paid by midnight of the third day after you have entered the zone. The fee can also be paid up to 90 days in advance if you know that you will be driving in the ULEZ frequently.

Why was ULEZ introduced?

This introduction of the ULEZ was ultimately due to the sheer volume of traffic in Central London. Ambient outdoor air pollution, which is partly caused by the vehicles on our roads, is a major public health concern.

ULEZ was introduced in the UK because reducing ambient air pollution has become extremely pertinent to public health and wellbeing. It is also related to the UK Government’s net zero carbon emission goals.

The initial introduction of a LEZ in London was successful in reducing the levels of specific gaseous air pollutants, like nitrogen dioxide, to an acceptable level. However, the initiative needed to go further to see a further reduction in ambient air pollution levels.

Does it work?

Since the introduction of London’s ULEZ in 2019, the reduction in pollution emissions and carbon emissions has been significant. There are three main air pollutants which the ULEZ has focused on reducing. These are nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon emissions emitted by vehicles.

These pollutants are harmful to people and the planet in many ways. They are harmful to humans, as they irritate and damage the respiratory system. They also have a detrimental impact on the environment by contributing to ozone layer degradation.

In the Mayor of London’s ‘One Year Report’^[1] on Inner London’s ULEZ, they found that since 2019:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are estimated to have been reduced by 13,500 tonnes (-23%).
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is estimated to have been reduced by 180 tonnes (-7%).
• Vehicle carbon emissions are estimated to have been reduced by around 800,000 tonnes (-3%).
• Four million people now have cleaner air.

In the same report, it states that the ULEZ covers an area which includes 1,362 schools. This means that the children in these schools are now breathing in cleaner air as a result. As the results have been so positive, it is likely that the ULEZ will continue to expand over the next few years.

If you are interested in ULEZ compliant cars, we’ve got what you’re looking for here at Arnold Clark. We have a whole range of used and new cars available that are ULEZ compliant and will keep you free of the ULEZ fee!

References

1. https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/Inner%20London%20ULEZ%20One%20Year%20Report%20-%20final.pdf
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health