New Ultra Low Emission Zone has come into force in London

As of today, 8 April 2019, a new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has come into force in central London, in the same area as the congestion charge.

It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and drivers of vehicles who don’t meet ULEZ emissions standards must pay a daily charge to drive in this zone (on top of the congestion charge):

• £12.50 for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans up to and including 3.5 tonnes
• £100 for heavier vehicles, including lorries over 3.5 tonnes and buses/coaches over 5 tonnes

Use the TfL’s online vehicle checker to check if you’ll need to pay the new charge. Generally speaking, those that’ll need to pay include drivers of:

• Motorbikes that don’t meet Euro 3 standards (manufactured pre-2007)
• Petrol cars and vans that don’t meet Euro 4 standards (manufactured pre-2006)
• Diesel cars and vans that don’t meet Euro 6 standards (manufactured pre-2015)
• Buses, coaches and lorries that don’t meet Euro 6 standards

If your vehicle falls into one of the categories above and you’re looking for more information on greener vehicles, try one of our guides:

1. Hybrid and electric cars: everything you need to know
2. The best 100% electric cars on the market
3. The cheapest hybrid and electric cars to insure
4. The pros and cons of running an electric van

Those who don’t pay the charge face a fine of £160, although first offenders may only receive a warning letter.

TfL predicts the scheme will result in toxic emissions dropping by 45% in two years, with the aim being to expand the ULEZ to cover the entire area between the North and South Circular roads by 2021.