Sir Sadiq Khan has promised not to “move the goalposts” in relation to which cars and vans are exempt from paying the Ulez ultra-low emission zone levy.
At present, petrol vehicles with a “Euro 4” engine or newer and diesels with a “Euro 6” engine or newer are exempt from the £12.50-a-day levy, which is based on exhaust emissions, says The Standard.
This would mean that 20-year-old petrol cars and vans and 10-year old diesel vehicles will remain exempt from the Ulez levy.
The latest results on the impact of the Greater London Ulez – the zone was expanded across all 33 boroughs in August 2023 – found that 97.5 per cent of cars and 90.7 per cent of vans in outer London now comply with the rules.
This is credited with reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) roadside levels in outer London by 4.8 per cent.
However, despite the efforts to reduce emissions, there has been an increase in the total volume of traffic in London – and in congestion levels. The total number of vehicles seen being driven in London on an average day has increased from 1.97m to 2.1m in the year to September 2024.
Announcing his plans to take the Ulez Londonwide, Sir Sadiq said in 2022 that it would tackle the “triple challenges of air pollution, climate change and congestion”.
Pic: Paul Hutton
