What is the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)?

The ULEZ applies in the same way in Central London as the Congestion Charge to promote a healthier and safer environment. The zone operates 24 hours a day and all days throughout the year except for Christmas

Why do we need the ULEZ?

Air pollution is playing havoc in today’s world, leading to many diseases such as asthma, heart, and lung diseases. The contamination is even more dangerous for children subjected to lung diseases from a younger age.

How to find out if you have to pay?

If your vehicle does not meet the emission standards set by ULEZ, you need to pay a charge to enter and drive in the zone. The ULEZ charge currently stands at £12.5 for cars, motorcycles, and vans up to 3.5 tonnes. For larger vehicles such as coaches and buses over 5 tonnes and lorries over 3.5 tonnes, the fee is £100.

The expanded ULEZ will follow the same rules regarding charges. If your car does not meet the Ultra-low Emission Zones standard, you are liable to pay a daily amount of £12.5 to drive in the zone. Make sure you refer to the TFL’s ULEZ checker to find if you have to pay to enter the area.

How to check if the car is ULEZ complaint

In 2022 the UK government will expand the Ultra-low emission zone as much as possible. Understand the standards and application methods of ULEZ. A handy guide to ensure your vehicle does meet the ULEZ complaint.

Table of Contents

What is ULEZ, and how it helps to control air pollution?

First of all, ULEZ is not a restriction for drivers. The United Kingdom government addresses the importance of air quality in central London. The area coverage has been increased due to high toxic gases from vehicles and improving London residents’ health. The UK government should reduce carbon emissions by 80% before 2025. Ultra-Low Emission Zone is an area that minimizes the usage of high air polluting specification cars, motorcycles, mopeds, HGV’s, lorries, buses, minibuses, vans, coaches, and types of diesel-fueled vehicles. In simple words, if your vehicle doesn’t meet the emission standard, you should pay a daily charge along with the London congestion charge. The zone operates 24 hours a day and all days throughout the year except for Christmas.

The main reason for expanding ULEZ is to reduce harmful Nitrogen dioxide by approximately 30% across London.

Euro Emission Standards implementation timeline

Emission Standard	Year of Implementation
Euro 1	January 1993
Euro 2	January 1997
Euro 3	January 2001
Euro 4	January 2006
Euro 5	January 2011
Euro 6	September 2015
Euro 6D-Temp	September 2019
Euro 6D	January 2021

What are the emission standards followed?

Vehicle Type	Emission Standard	Daily Charges (If your vehicle doesn’t meet the standard)	Penalties & Notes
Cars	Petrol: Euro 4 Diesel: Euro 6	£12.50	Penalty charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days)
Vans, minibuses and more	Petrol: Euro 4 Diesel: Euro 6	£12.50	Penalty charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days)
Motorcycles Mopeds Motorised tricycles Quadricycles (L category)	Euro 3 emissions standards for NOx.	£12.50	Daily ULEZ charge: £12.50 Penalty charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days)

How do I know if my car is ULEZ exempt?

Heavy polluting petrol and diesel type cars are getting affected. Petrol car engines that are compliant with Euro 4 emission standard, which was introduced in 2006, will get exempt from the ULEZ charge.

Is it possible to switch our cars to Euro 6?

Of course, it is possible by retrofitting our car to meet the Euro 6 emission standard. We listed the below considerations before you start retrofitting your vehicle.

Space: We need extra space to install the exhaust system. Usually, it will be a stainless steel box and sometimes can mount into the muffler
Payload: In some cases, it leads to a fixed penalty notice if your vehicle is caught for overweight.
Cost: Retrofitting cost is high.

ULEZ checker

From September 2018, The Euro emission standard of your car can be found on the V5C document that tells you the emissions rating for your car. If you don’t have a logbook then, it’s worth doing a vehicle-specific check. The better way to check the car emission standard of your car is exempt from the ULEZ charges is to simply enter its registration number (number plate) into the ULEZ vehicle checker gov website or get a free car check with Euro status here.

Possibilities to escape from London’s ULEZ Charge.

Buy a petrol-fueled used car which meets the emission standard Euro 4. After September 2015 manufactured cars will definitely meet Euro 6.
Buy diesel car sold since September 2015. The UK government is legally obliged to conform to Euro 6 emission standards.
Investing in the classic car gives you exemption from ULEZ charges. But, it should be built before 40 years. That means Pre-1979 cars with a historic tax class.
Electric cars will help you in this case because electric cars produce zero exhaust emissions.
Make sure your vehicle is registered with a disabled tax class offered by the UK government, if applicable.

Is ULEZ expanding in 2021?

Exactly Yes, ULEZ is expanding to reduce the risk of Londoners health. Controlling air pollution is not an easy task for the UK government. Air contamination and a poor environment will directly affect chronic lungs and increase heart diseases. Everyone knows traffic emissions are the leading major cause of poor air quality. As of 25th October 2021 onwards, new area boundaries has been established in the North circular (A406) and South circular (A205) roads.

How to pay the ULEZ charge?

Set up Auto Pay (£10 annual registration charge per vehicle). Already have Auto Pay? Then you don’t need to do anything. The other way is to pay online through the TFL app available for both Android and iOS platforms.