http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone?cid=ultra-low-emission-zoneUltra Low Emission Zone
Following a public consultation, the Mayor has confirmed the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in the Capital on 7 September 2020. This will encourage the use of newer, cleaner vehicles, improving the quality of life and health of Londoners.
Who will be affected?
Discounts or exemptions
ULEZ standards
Options to meet the standards
ULEZ daily charge
Plans for the future
Why we need the ULEZ
Benefits of the ULEZ
ULEZ boundary mapClick for a large view of the map
The ULEZ will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the same area as the current Congestion Charging zone (CCZ). All cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) will need to meet exhaust emission standards (ULEZ standards) or pay an additional daily charge to travel within the zone.
There will be no barriers and tollbooths. Cameras will read your number plate as you enter, leave or drive within the zone and check it against the database of those who meet the ULEZ standards or need to pay the daily charge.
The ULEZ standards are in addition to the Congestion Charge and the Low Emission Zone requirements.
See the ULEZ consultation report and legal documents.
Who will be affected?
Cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs
These vehicles will need to meet the new ULEZ standards when driven within the zone. Any vehicle that does not meet the ULEZ standards can drive within the ULEZ, but must pay a daily ULEZ charge to do so. This will be in addition to the CCZ and LEZ charge where applicable.
A vehicle registered outside Great Britain (this includes vehicles registered in Northern Ireland) will also need to meet the ULEZ standards or pay the daily charge.
We prefer vehicles to meet the ULEZ standards, rather than drivers pay the daily charge.
TfL Buses
As part of the ULEZ, we are taking extra steps to reduce emissions from our buses and to increase the number of zero emission capable vehicles.
By 2020, all double deck TfL buses operating in central London will be hybrid and all single deck buses will be zero emission (at point of use). This means a substantial number of double deck buses operating in inner London will be hybrid, as will many in outer London
We will progressively increase the number of these buses. From 2020 only buses of this type will be allowed to operate on routes in the ULEZ
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (eg minicabs)
Following the consultation feedback, and in light of new funds announced by the Government, we will undertake further engagement with the taxi and private hire trade before finalising plans to change the licensing requirements for these vehicles. ?The final package of measures is expected to be confirmed in the summer.
In the meantime, the Mayor has confirmed Private Hire Vehicles will need to meet the ULEZ standards.
Discounts or exemptions
Residents
Residents who live in the ULEZ will be granted a three year sunset period with a 100% discount to give them more time to change their vehicle to meet the ULEZ standards
The discount will be available to those who live in the ULEZ from 2020 to 2023 and will only apply while they live within the zone
After the 6 September 2023 residents must pay 100% of the daily ULEZ charge to drive a vehicle in the zone if it does not meet the ULEZ standards
The ULEZ residents' discount will be available to residents within the ULEZ and in designated areas next to the ULEZ (as apply to the Congestion Charge residents' discount). More details of how this discount will be applied will be available closer to the time.
Vehicles for the disabled
Vehicles that have a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class ('disabled exemption') will be granted a three year sunset period with a 100% discount, up until 6 September 2023. Information on the eligibility criteria for the disabled exemption is on Gov.uk
After this date the daily charge will be applicable. Details of how this discount will be applied will be available closer to the time
Historic vehicles
All vehicles that have a 'historic' vehicle tax class will be exempt from the ULEZ. Information on the eligibility criteria for the historic vehicle exemption is on Gov.uk.
Specialist Vehicles
A small number of vehicle types which are currently exempt from the LEZ would also be exempt from the ULEZ charge. These include:
Agricultural vehicles
Military vehicles
Vehicles built before 1 January 1973
Non-road going vehicles which are allowed to drive on the highway (for example excavators)
Certain types of mobile cranes
These vehicles typically use engines certified to different standards than road-going engines and are exempt due to their unsuitability for conversion to an alternate fuel or engine replacement.
If you receive any other discounts or exemptions for the Congestion Charge or LEZ you will still need to pay the ULEZ charge if you drive within the zone in a vehicle that does not meet the ULEZ standards.
ULEZ standards
The ULEZ standards are based on 'Euro standards' - a range of successive exhaust emission standards for petrol and diesel engines. These standards define the limits for exhaust emissions for new vehicles sold in EU member states. Vehicle manufacturers may only sell new vehicles that comply with these standards from a certain date.
To determine your vehicle's Euro standard, you need to know its age. You can find this out by checking its V5C certificate (log book) for the date of first registration as new with the DVLA.
This table summarises the emission standards for different vehicle types.
Vehicle type ULEZ standards Will your vehicle meet the standards?
Motorcycle, moped and similar vehicles
Euro 3
A motorcycle manufactured since 1 July 2007 will meet the ULEZ standards.
Car or small van (Petrol)
Euro 4
A petrol car or small van manufactured since 1 January 2006 will meet the ULEZ standards.
Car or small van (Diesel)
Euro 6
If you currently have a diesel car or small van, it will not meet the ULEZ standards.
All cars and small vans manufactured from September 2015 will meet the standards.
A small number of vehicles manufactured up to a year earlier than September 2015 will meet the ULEZ standards.
Larger van or minibus (Petrol)*
Euro 4
A petrol van or minibus manufactured since 1 January 2007 will meet the ULEZ standards.
Larger van or minibus (Diesel)*
Euro 6
If you currently have a diesel van or minibus, it will not meet the ULEZ standards.
Vans or minibuses manufactured from September 2016 will meet the ULEZ standards.
A small number of vehicles manufactured up to a year earlier than September 2016 will meet the ULEZ standards.
HGV**, bus and coach
Euro VI
If you currently have an HGV, bus or coach manufactured since 1 January 2014 it is likely to meet the ULEZ standards.
The Government has delayed the introduction of Euro VI for some specialist vehicles that are produced in small quantities. If you think your vehicle falls into this group then please contact your vehicle manufacturer to be sure.
TfL's New Routemasters must meet Euro VI or a high-performing Euro V standard.
*Vehicles with a gross weight of 3.5 tonnes or less
**Lorries and specialist vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight
Options to meet the standards
We expect that most vehicles will already meet the required emission standard by the time ULEZ standards are introduced from 7 September 2020. People will have at least five years to arrange to upgrade or switch to a vehicle which meets the emission standards.
If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standards you can:
Switch to a vehicle which meets the ULEZ standards for journeys in the zone
Re-route journeys to avoid the zone
Make your journey by public transport, walking or cycling
Pay the ULEZ daily charge
A mainstream retrofit solution to achieve the Euro VI emission standard does not exist currently. However, this is a fast-developing area and it is possible a solution may be found for heavier vehicles in the next few years. Such a solution would be suitable for Euro V vehicles only and would not work on older vehicles.
We are working with manufacturers to develop a retrofit system for its Euro V hybrid buses, to ensure they meet the Euro VI standard. This could potentially be expanded to other heavier vehicles such as coaches and HGVs.
A retrofit solution for lighter vehicles such as cars is not expected to be developed. However, if a solution becomes available we would consider if it is an acceptable way to meet the ULEZ standards. Subject to developments in this field, users could in principle register their retrofitted vehicle with TfL and not have to pay the daily charge in the future.
ULEZ daily charge
If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standards, you will need to pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. Charges will depend on the vehicle type.
Vehicle type
ULEZ standards
Daily charge
(if the vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standard)
Motorcycle, moped and similar vehicles
Euro 3
£12.50
Car or small van (Petrol)
Euro 4
£12.50
Car or small van (Diesel)
Euro 6
£12.50
Larger van or minibus (Petrol)*
Euro 4
£12.50
Larger van or minibus (Diesel)*
Euro 6
£12.50
HGV*, bus or coach
Euro VI
£100
*Vehicles with a gross weight of 3.5 tonnes or less
**Lorries and specialist vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes gross weight
It is possible that a vehicle which is subject to the ULEZ and/or LEZ emissions standards and is driven during Congestion Charging hours would have to pay all three daily charges.
Should the ULEZ charge not be paid, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) would be issued, payable by the registered keeper. It is proposed that this would be £1000 (reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days) for heavy vehicles and £130 (reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days) for light vehicles.
Plans for the future
2015
Further engagement and consultation with the taxi and private hire trade and other stakeholders on proposed new licensing requirements
2015-2020
Public information campaign to raise awareness of the new Ultra Low Emission Zone, and options to meet the standards for those who need them
Number of hybrid and zero emission buses in central London increase
September 2020
ULEZ standards in force
All double-deck TfL buses operating in the ULEZ will be hybrid and all single-deck buses will be zero emission (at point of use)
September 2023
Residents' discount expires
Discount for disabled vehicles expires
Why we need the ULEZ
London's air quality has improved significantly in recent years. It's now considered compliant for all but one air pollutant for which the European Union has set legal limits. This pollutant is nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which has impacts on public health.
London is currently in breach of legal limits. An equivalent of 4,300 deaths in London per year is attributed to air quality related illness. The Capital also faces challenging targets to mitigate the effects of climate change.
To protect human health, the European Union has set legal limits for concentrations of pollutants in outdoor air, including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). These apply to London and the UK as whole.
It's the responsibility of the UK Government, boroughs and the Mayor to take action in order to meet these limits. Failure to do so may result in significant fines being imposed on the UK Government under EU law.
We're introducing measures to promote more walking, cycling, use of public transport and to encourage sustainable freight deliveries. ULEZ is a another way to further reduce the most harmful road transport generated emissions in central London and across the Capital.
Benefits of the ULEZ
The introduction of the ULEZ will reduce exhaust emissions of NOx and particulate matter PM10/PM2.5, making central London a more pleasant place to live, work and visit.
These positive effects will be especially beneficial to the young, older people and those who have respiratory problems, as well as residents of high pollution areas.
The majority of traffic entering the ULEZ will be from outside the zone - so the benefits of cleaner, greener vehicles in the form of reduced emissions will be delivered right across Greater London, even to areas not in the zone.