The expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a hot topic of conversation and has divided the opinion of motorists up and down the country.
During an announcement made on the 25th November 2022, London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that he has approved a decision to expand ULEZ in 2023. The announcement on his official Twitter page simply stated:
“Cleaner air is coming to outer London. Today I’m announcing that we’re expanding the #ULEZ London-wide in a move that will bring cleaner air to *5 million* more Londoners…”. The announcement was accompanied by a video titled; ‘The ULEZ is expanding to all London boroughs – Let’s clear the air’.
The decision to expand the ULEZ from inner London to outer London will affect millions of motorists who regularly drive in and out of the capital. Within this article about the London ULEZ expansion, we explain when it will happen, where the zone will stretch to, and why the Ultra Low Emission Zone will be expanded. Read on to find out more…
When will the ULEZ expansion happen?
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed on their website that the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion will be in effect from Tuesday 29th August 2023.
As of Monday 30th January 2023, a dedicated ULEZ scrappage scheme will come into force to support the change. We’ve explained more about this initiative and how it will help motorists of non-compliant ULEZ vehicles, below…
What area will the ULEZ cover in 2023?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone will expand to outer London, covering all London boroughs. The expanded ULEZ will cover all 33 boroughs of Greater London and in some places, will border the M25. The map below gives you a visual understanding of where you will expect to find the new ULEZ boundary as of 29th August 2023 – highlighted by the lighter green colour (map courtesy of Transport for London):
To see where the current ULEZ operates within inner London’s North and South Circular roads, head over to our dedicated Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) article which includes details of the original zone expansion back in October 2021.
When does the ULEZ Operate?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone operates 24-hours a day (midnight to midnight), 7-days a week, 364 days a year, so it is in force everyday except Christmas day (25th December).
What are the ULEZ fees and who has to pay them?
If you’re a driver of a vehicle that isn’t compliant with the ULEZ emission standards, you will be required to pay a fee to enter the zone, regardless of what part you travel through and for how long.
Non-compliant ULEZ vehicles are subject to a £12.50 daily charge in order to drive inside the zone. This charge applies to the following vehicles:
- Cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles up to (and including) 3.5 tonnes
- Minibuses up to (and including) 5 tonnes
Who does not need to pay the ULEZ charge?
There are a handful of vehicles that are not required to pay the ULEZ charge when entering the area. They are:
- Lorries, vans and specialist vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
- Buses, minibuses and coaches over 5 tonnes
Do electric cars need to pay the ULEZ?
It’s good news for drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) as electric cars are also exempt from paying the London ULEZ charge, saving drivers £12.50 a day. The only caveat is that the car must be able to drive solely on electric power for a minimum of 20 miles.
Are there discounts and exemptions for the ULEZ?
There is a scheme in place to help disabled London drivers and providers of community transport to prepare for the ULEZ expansion in August 2023. The existing ULEZ grace periods have been extended and new grace periods are set to be introduced on Monday 30th January 2023.
It is expected that successful applicants of the scheme will be exempt from the daily ULEZ charge until October 2027 – even vehicles that aren’t ULEZ compliant. Keep checking back on this page for the latest updates.
Will the ULEZ penalty charges change with the expansion?
Yes. The penalty charge notice (PCN) for the Ultra Low Emission Zone is set to increase with the expansion. Fines will increase from the current £160 charge to £180 which will be reduced by 50% if the PCN is paid within 14 days of receipt.
Why is the ULEZ being expanded?
The main driver behind the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion is to help improve air quality for all Londoners. Poor air quality is impacting the health of people in the city and the main culprit is pollution caused by vehicles.
Pollution levels in the capital regularly exceed safe levels of emissions such as nitrogen oxide (NOx), which can lead to health risks and of course contribute to climate change too.
By expanding the ULEZ to Greater London, it is hoped the move will dramatically cut pollution levels for people living and working within the city. Prior to the decision being made, there were five months of consultation period with the local government and public, which saw 60% of respondents in the capital in favour of ULEZ expansion plans.
Is the ULEZ expansion being opposed?
But of course with any big decision such as this, you are never going to please everyone. As such, many businesses and people living in London have already expressed their anger at Sadiq Khan’s decision to expand the ULEZ.
To support this, London’s largest used car dealership Cargiant, has found that 80% of 1,000 London-based drivers that were surveyed on the subject, disagree with expansion plans. As such, 61% expressed that they will need to upgrade to a ULEZ compliant car in order to avoid the £12.50 daily charge.
Small business owners especially are concerned at how the ULEZ expansion plans will affect them, potentially adding more financial burden. To help alleviate some of the costs, Transport for London has announced plans for a scrappage scheme which will come into effect from 30th January 2023. We’ve explained more about the scrappage scheme, below…
Whether or not you are opposed to the ULEZ expansion, it is highly unlikely the proposed plans will be delayed or stopped. Local authorities have a duty to introduce Clean Air Zones in towns and cities across the UK, and London is no exception.
Is my car compliant with the ULEZ?
To determine whether or not your car is compliant with Ultra Low Emission Zone standards, entirely depends on how much NOx the vehicle emits. In order to avoid the daily ULEZ charge of £12.50, most cars and vans within the following two brackets are exempt:
- Diesel cars and vans that have been registered since 2016
- Petrol cars and vans that have been registered since 2006
While this is the general rule of thumb, it is not necessarily applicable to all vehicles. The best way to check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant, enter your car or van’s registration number on the TfL website to find out if your vehicle meets emission safety standards.
This free tool checks for a number of London-based chargeable motoring schemes, including:
- Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
- Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
- Congestion Charge
- Direct Visions Standard (DVS) and HGV Safety Permit
What is the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
From Monday 30th January 2023, London-based drivers of non-compliant ULEZ vehicles who receive certain types of disability benefits can apply for the TfL’s car and motorcycle scrappage scheme. Eligible applicants are set to receive grant payments and/or annual bus passes to help with transport costs.
There is also expected to be a scrappage scheme available to all Londoners, though further details are yet to be released.