On 8 April 2019, London’s Mayor introduced London’s new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) which came into effect to replace the previous T-charge scheme, with hopes of reducing harmful emissions in the capital, with the aim to improve the health of Londoners by cleaning up the city’s toxic air.

Who is affected?

Vans, lorries, coaches, buses, cars, motorbikes and all other vehicles will now need to meet the new, stricter emission standards otherwise the daily ULEZ charge will be eligible. This is an additional charge to the weekday Congestion Charge that replaced the T-Charge (officially known as the Emissions Surcharge), introduded in 2017.

If a vehicle doesn’t meet ULEZ emission standards, its driver will have to pay a daily charge to drive in the area: £12.50 for most vehicles (cars, motorcycles and vans) and £100 for heavier vehicles like lorries. You can check to see if you are affected by the new zone by using this free online vehicle checker.

Charges will apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The ULEZ covers the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge, and will apply in addition to the existing congestion charge. It will then be extended in 2021 to cover all areas within the boundaries of the north and south circular.

Other regions expected to introduce a CAZ are Birmingham and Leeds  but this is unlikley until January 2020, with local councils consulting or likely to include similar CAZ zones and charges in Bath, Sheffield, Greater Manchester, Oxford and Glasgow.