The study, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization which analysed over a decade of data from Greater London and Central London, found that the introduction of the LEZ in 2008 and the ULEZ in 2019 significantly reduced harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM10), ...
Due to all phases of the ULEZ: Cumulatively over a six-year period (2019 – 2024), air pollutant and carbon emissions across London are lower due to all phases of the ULEZ, compared to a scenario without the ULEZ. Specifically: NOX emissions are estimated to be 24 per cent lower.
To help clean London's air, the ULEZ was expanded on 29 August 2023 to cover all London boroughs. Key findings from the London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone One Year Report indicate that the London-wide ULEZ has already been highly effective at reducing the number of older, more polluting vehicles in London.
How much money has ULEz generated since its inception? Since its inception in April 2019, ULEZ has generated significant revenue. As of mid-2023, the scheme has brought in approximately £500 million.
Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion 'will save lives, can we afford not to?' | Lisa Hartle
How many people haven't paid ULEZ fines?
Last month it was reported that out of the 1,348,938 ULEZ fines TfL has issued since the ULEZ expansion, 974,590 have still not been paid. Are you surprised by such high levels of non-compliance?
The ULEZ is a very targeted scheme, and only affects a small minority of drivers. 96.7 per cent of vehicles seen driving in London on an average day now meet the ULEZ emission standards. This means that the vast majority of drivers are not affected by the ULEZ and do not need to pay the daily charge.
To be ULEZ compliant, petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards. Most petrol cars registered after January 2006 meet these standards. Petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are exempt from paying charges. To be ULEZ compliant, diesel cars must meet Euro 6 standards.
Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - a toxic gas that exacerbates asthma, impedes lung development, and raises the risk of lung cancer - across all of London is estimated to have decreased by 27%, the report found.
As set out on the Transport for London (TfL) website, the ULEZ applies to motorcycles (and other category L vehicles), cars, vans and specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes), and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes). Neither trains nor aircraft are subject to the ULEZ.
However, some residents, businesses and politicians have expressed serious concerns. They include the financial impact during a cost of living squeeze, and the nine month-long notice period. Some people affected say the scrappage scheme won't help them. The cost of second-hand Ulez-compliant cars has also risen.
The creation of the ULEZ was first announced by Boris Johnson in July 2014 when he was the Conservative Mayor of London, and was confirmed in March 2015 after a consultation . It was backed by the then Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, who also agreed to provide funding to help its implementation.
Some people hate the ULEZ so much they wreck the cameras. They cut wires or break lenses to fight the daily fees. These vandals often think fines are too high or see the cameras as too controlling. Their actions show public anger.
The only way to avoid the charges is to drive a compliant vehicle. You can use our free ULEZ checker to find out instantly if your car or van is ULEZ compliant. Just enter your vehicle's reg and tap the 'Check Compliance' button. Non-compliant vehicle drivers face a £12.50 fee each time they drive on London's streets.
All vehicles with historic tax class are exempt from the ULEZ. This tax class applies if a vehicle was built more than 40 years ago, with the date moving forward on a 40-year rolling system. This 40-year rolling age limit is set by the DVLA.
Any net revenue received from ULEZ is reinvested into running and improving London's transport network, such as expanding bus routes in outer London. The ULEZ is projected to stop making a surplus in 2026/27 as compliance levels continue to increase.
But Friday's report, published by the Greater London Authority with findings extensively reviewed by an independent advisory group of experts, said Ulez had had a positive impact and that London's air quality had improved across the board and at a faster rate than that of the rest of the country.
Cars that are free to drive in the ULEZ must be Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) compliant. That means low emission and zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars will not be charged. Hybrid cars aren't automatically exempt, as some models made before 2015 may not be ULEZ compliant.
Owners of non-UK registered vehicles also need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or pay the daily charge to drive within the zone. Vehicles need to be registered with us, even if they meet the emissions standards.
From the launch of the London-wide ULEZ on 29 August 2023 up to and including 28 August 2024, the daily average number of charge payers has been just under 44,000, generating a total of £545,000 each day from those paying the daily charge of £12.50. This has resulted in charge income of around £199m.
If a vehicle's registered keeper does not pay the penalty, it is registered as an unpaid debt and an order made for its recovery. If still not paid this leads to a Court-issued warrant, and enforcement action to recover the outstanding debt.
The ULEZ operates across all London boroughs, and the M25 is not in the zone. The charges only need to be paid if you drive your vehicle within the zone. Parked vehicles are not subject to any charges.
In 2014 Boris Johnson, then Mayor of London, announced plans for an ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) which was introduced by his successor Sadiq Khan in April 2019, and applies to more vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans.
