Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): Are you ready?

ULEZ Extension, October 2021

From 25 October 2021, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding from central London to create a single, larger zone up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular roads themselves are not included in the zone.

The Mayor launched the central London ULEZ on 8 April 2019. Most vehicles driving in the ULEZ must already meet tight emission standards or pay the daily charge. When the ULEZ expands the standards will stay the same, but the area covered will be 18 times larger.

The ULEZ is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round (except Christmas Day).

In 2021 there will also be changes to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and the Congestion charge (C-Charge). When all the changes are made, London will have three distinct road charging schemes and if you drive in London for work or pleasure you will need to understand how you might be affected by them.

View the detailed maps here.

Check your vehicle

The London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) begins 8 April 2019. Are you ready? – December 2018

Final preparations are being made to launch the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) next year. The aim of the ULEZ is to improve air quality by discouraging vehicles that generate more pollution from entering central London, requiring drivers to pay a charge. From 8 April next year the ULEZ will operate over exactly the same area as the Congestion Charge, but will expand outwards to include the whole of Inner London by 2021. Unlike the Congestion Charge it will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To check if your vehicle will have to pay the ULEZ charge, click here.

The first signs on the zone boundary, which include Edgware Road, are now being installed. TfL has produced a simple guide to ULEZ which you can reference here, as well as below.

What does this mean for deliveries to and from your business?

Marble Arch London BID can help you look at your deliveries and assess how you can reduce them, save money and reduce the impact of the charges associated with the ULEZ . Visit our dedicated environment area on our website and click the Deliver Best link to use a free diagnostic tool. We will also work to arrange free consultancy advice for you. An additional option is to sign up to West End Buyers Club where featured suppliers have undergone a rigorous procurement process to provide goods and services at low prices so they are delivered in ways that minimise the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality.

Do you need help wrapping your head around the Ultra Low Emission Zone and what it means for you and your business and freight? Don’t worry, we have the answers you need.

The Mayor of London announced this week he will be introducing tighter vehicle emission standards for vehicles entering the Congestion Charging Zone from April next year. Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will replace the current T Charge (Emissions Surcharge), but will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year rather than Monday to Friday during the day as is currently the case. The standards are higher than for the existing Low Emission Zone so even if vehicles are currently compliant, they might still attract the daily ULEZ charge of £12.50 for motorbikes, cars and smaller delivery vehicles and £100 for lorries and specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5T. Check here to see if your vehicle meets the ULEZ standard and will be able to travel in the zone without paying the ULEZ charge.

Residents who are registered for the residents’ Congestion Charge discount will get a 100% ULEZ discount until 24 October 2021 to give them more time to change their vehicle to meet the ULEZ standards. Residents will continue to pay the T-Charge, at a discounted rate of 90%, during this ULEZ resident sunset period.

From October 2020, the most heavy-polluting vehicles including buses, coaches, lorries and other specialist vehicles will need to meet stronger emission standards throughout the whole of London.

From October 2021, the ULEZ will be extended to include all of London within the area bounded by the North and South Circular roads and this will also apply to all vehicles. Click here for further details.