• Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
  • Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Understand everything about ULEZ London (2022 update)

If you're a regular commuter to London by car or are driving to the city as a one-off, then you'll need to be aware of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). 

ULEZ is a scheme that was implemented by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, in April 2019. The initiative was created to introduce financial charges for vehicles entering central London that are not emissions compliant. Read on to find out more... 

What is London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)?

With a focus on improving air quality in the capital city, ULEZ is designed to reduce the number of high-emission vehicles operating in London, in order to reduce toxic air pollution.

When the scheme began, ULEZ operated just five-days during the typical working week (excluding weekends) and was restricted to certain times during the day. However, the scheme now operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year - the only exception being Christmas Day.

The special zones can be easily identified by motorists via a series of signs warning drivers when they are about to enter a dedicated ULEZ area, shown below:

ULEZ charges are based on Euro 4 emissions standards for petrol vehicles and Euro 6 emissions standards for diesel vehicles. These are established limits for air-polluting emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from engines. All new vehicles must meet these limits to be approved for sale.

Any older vehicles which do not meet the required standards must pay a daily charge to drive within ULEZ. The fees are fairly straightforward; they are set at £12.50 per day for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tonnes).  

Heavier vehicles such as lorries (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses/coaches (over 5 tonnes) will be charged at £100 per day. Unfortunately there is no way of escaping the charges as they are enforced by Transport for London’s vast ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera network.

Where is London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)?

As of 25th October 2021, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded to 18 times the size of its original area within the city. It now stretches the same eight square mile area that the congestion charge currently operates. 

ULEZ covers all areas within Greater London’s North and South Circular roads, but does not include the North Circular (A406) and South Circular (A205) roads itself - take a look at the map below to see the area ULEZ now covers. Whether you travel through the entire zone or partially enter the area’s boundary, you will be charged if your vehicle isn’t compliant with ULEZ standards. 

Some of the key areas within ULEZ - which are now considered ‘Controlled Zones’ - include; Brixton, Fulham, Greenwich, Lewisham, Peckham, Stratford and Tottenham, amongst others. Our map below shows how the zone has dramatically expanded since October 2021.  

You can check to see if the area you’re planning to visit is affected, thanks to the postcode and map search function on the official Transport for London (TfL) website. 

Inspired by London’s own ULEZ scheme, major cities across the country have introduced similar initiatives called Clean Air Zones. 

London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Future Expansion Plans

So the question is, will London’s ULEZ be expanded again? Well, the answer is… very probably! In March 2022, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced plans to further expand ULEZ beyond the 140 square mile area introduced in October 2021.

Should these plans go ahead, ULEZ will cover the entire city of London within the next two years, so it is expected this change could happen in 2024 - watch this space!   

What Makes an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliant car?

It’s estimated that around 90% of all vehicles travelling within ULEZ currently meet the required minimum emissions standards, allowing travel throughout the zone free of charge. 

Most petrol-fuelled cars first registered after 2005 will be of the required Euro 4 standard, and most diesel-fuelled cars registered after September 2015 will be of the required Euro 6 standard. It goes without saying that all electric and hybrid vehicles are fully ULEZ compliant - check out our chart below to understand more:

Fuel Type

Year of Registration

Euro Standard

ULEZ Compliant

Petrol

After 2005

Euro 4

Yes

Diesel

After September 2015

Euro 6

Yes

Hybrid Petrol

After 2005

Euro 4

Yes

Hybrid Diesel

After September 2015

Euro 6

Yes

Electric 

Any age

N/A

Yes

Are you planning a trip to London? Check if your car meets ULEZ requirements by visiting the official Transport for London (TfL) website and enter your registration plate details into the designated box on the Check Your Vehicle page.    

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliant cars at Wilsons Epsom

Is it time for you to upgrade to a ULEZ-compliant car? Here at Wilsons Epsom we have some superb models available for you to consider across all our 11 new car brands.

Discover models from a range of manufacturers, including; Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Dacia, Fiat, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Nismo, Peugeot, Renault, and MG. Why not explore the road to a greener future of driving with our electrifying range of EV models.

As the largest family-run new car and used car supermarket in the South of England, we offer our customers an extensive choice of vehicles at unbeatable value-for-money and a service they can trust. 

We are proud to be electric car experts, so why not accelerate your journey into EV ownership by exploring our fantastic selection of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars currently in stock. Look out for the green ULEZ logo pictured on all compliant cars, as highlighted below. 

For further details about the ULEZ compliant cars available here at Wilsons Epsom, take a look at our Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Cars blog and accelerate your journey to a hybrid or electric vehicle.

Transport For London

Cars need to meet minimum emission standards when travelling in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) or the daily charge must be paid.

Minimum emission standards

Petrol: Euro 4
Diesel: Euro 6

The ULEZ will be enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age. However:

Information from Transport For London

Check this car on the TFL website before purchasing: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

All our vehicles are subject to an Admin Fee. Our Admin Fee covers any additional administration needed during your transaction, including a thorough provenance check (HPI Check). The admin fee also includes the cost to fully valet, register and, if necessary, MOT your vehicle (if less than 6 months left of current MOT).

Our administration fee is a variable fee which covers the additional administration needed when transacting with different categories of customers as specified. Retail Customers £199.00 - (Private buyers - NOT an owner, partner or director of a new/used vehicle sales company). Retail Customers using a finance broker outside our official panel of lenders paying funds direct to Wilsons Epsom - £399.00. All fees are inclusive of VAT.