What is the ULEZ zone and does it affect me?
The 'ULEZ' which stands for "Ultra Low Emission Zone" is an active plan introduced by the mayor of London back in April of 2019. The aim of this effort is to reduce the toxic air circling the city, which is mostly being caused by vehicles with high pollution levels. Many drivers who enter the covered area will be charged, which is supposed to deter people from entering to begin with (unnecessary travel). Climate change is a large worry for many people around the world, especially in big cities such as London, where bad air can lead to bad health or even death in worst-case scenarios.
As of early 2022, the mayor of London announced plans to expand the area so please take everything into account.
Does it cost me to drive in or through it?
If you as a driver do NOT meet the requirements of the zone, you will receive penalties including the intake of costs. However, meeting the requirements will allow you to freely drive within the area at no cost whatsoever. The minimum emission for petrol cars is Euro 4 and for diesel, it's Euro 6 and it's important to know this.
Additionally, as a majority of the zone covers an area that is currently within the congestion charge zone, vehicles will also be charged per vehicle to enter the zone and therefore vehicles are likely to be charged on a per kilometer basis, or through a minimum Euro standard for air quality. The proposed zone covers the whole of Greater London and so defining a 'zone' is not straightforward, but works out at roughly 65 miles long and 30 miles wide. The Monday-Friday daily charge is currently set as £15.00 if between the hours of 7am-6pm and for Sunday, it's between the hours of 12pm and 6pm.
What is the penalty for driving in the ULEZ zone?
The penalty is currently £160.00 for cars, vans, motorcycles, motor tricycles and mopeds. The £160.00 fine also applies to motor caravans, ambulances and minibuses (with more than 8 passenger seats) however for each of these, there are weight requirements so it's worth checking them to see it any apply to your vehicle.
What are some of the vehicles already exempt from paying the congestion charge?
Congestion Scheme:
There are several types of vehicles that are currently exempt from paying the congestion charge. The London Congestion Charge scheme states that the following are exempt:
- Emergency and public service vehicles including police, fire, ambulance, 999, London-wide buses and coaches and non-Revenue passenger transport (NRP) vehicles providing a TfL service. These vehicles are allowed to pass through the congestion charging zone without paying on single or return journeys provided they do not stop within the zone.
- All licensed taxis including wheelchair-accessible vehicles.*
- Vehicle which are permitted (by law) to use bus lanes, e.g. trains and buses, e.g. RPSV's (an alternative to taxis for some wheelchair users) and buses providing shuttle services*
ULEZ Zone:
- A petrol car must meet Euro 4 standards
- A diesel car must meet Euro 6 standards
- A hybrid car must meet Euro 4 or 6 standards (dependent on your car type)
- A fully electric car
- London licensed taxis
Conclusion
The impact of the ULEZ on your business will depend on your fleet size, the size and age of your vehicles and their CO2 emissions. A vehicle with a high emissions level may cost far more to drive within the zone as it will be charged for its emissions per kilometer, whereas a low emission vehicle might not be charged at all.