What is ULEZ?
Central London's ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) comes into force in just under a month, imposing a £12.50 daily fee on most diesel car and van drivers using the capital's roads. Designed to improve the city's air quality, the scheme will begin operating on April 8, charging older and more polluting vehicles that are driven into the zone. This includes diesel cars and vans which don’t meet the latest emissions standards, known as Euro 6.
Euro 6 became mandatory for new cars in September 2015, so most of the 9.5 million diesel cars on the road before that date will be liable for the charge.
Newer diesel models will be among the ULEZ-exempt cars. Petrol cars are unlikely to be affected unless they are more than 13 years old.
The ULEZ toll comes on top of the Congestion Charge, meaning that a trip to London could cost £24 in fees alone. At first the ULEZ will cover the same area as the Congestion Zone, but it’s due to expand in 2021 when it will apply across virtually all of the London area within the North and South Circular roads.
London's ULEZ operates in the centre of the capital, in the same zone that’s used for the congestion charge. This runs from Victoria and Hyde Park in the west to Tower Bridge in the east, and from Euston Road in the north to Elephant & Castle in the south.
It will expand to become ten times the size by 2021. More than 100,000 vehicles driving within the North Circular and South Circular roads could be liable for charges.
The ULEZ will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be run by Transport for London (TfL), the capital's transport authority. When expanded in 2021.