What do I need to know about the ULEZ expansion?
London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone - or ULEZ - has been expanded, with more people than ever covered by the emissions-based charging scheme. It also means that drivers who travel into certain areas of the capital and its surrounding boroughs might have to pay a fee even though they didn’t need to before.
But what are the details about the expansion and what should you look out for? Let’s take a look.
What was the ULEZ first introduced for?
The ULEZ first came into effect back in April 2019 as a way to help clean up London’s air. It was initially focused on a smaller area of the capital, working alongside the existing congestion charge to help reduce inner-city emissions and congestion.
Where has it now been expanded to?
A previous expansion of the ULEZ saw it pushed to cover the entire area between North and South circular roads. This already meant that thousands of drivers were covered by the charge, but it has now been pushed to a wider area.
It now covers all London boroughs and includes popular attractions such as Wembley Stadium and Chessington World of Adventures.
How much is the charge and what cars does it apply to?
Drivers will now have to pay a £12.50 daily charge if their vehicle doesn’t comply with the pre-set emissions standards. For petrol cars, that largely means vehicles registered after 2005.
However, the regulations are tighter for diesel cars. In this instance, most vehicles that were registered after September 2015 are exempt. However, you can check to see if your car qualifies via the Transport for London website.
When does the ULEZ charging scheme run?
Sadly, there are very few days when the ULEZ charge doesn’t apply. In fact, it runs every single day of the year - apart from Christmas Day - for 24 hours a day.
Do I need to pay for the charge on the same day as travel?
Thankfully, you’ve got a bit of time to pay the ULEZ charge. You’ve got until midnight on the third day following the journey - so it’s okay if you forget to pay on that first day.
What is the penalty if I don’t pay the charge?
If you don’t pay the charge at the right time, you could be hit with a penalty of up to £160. However, this will be reduced to £60 if you pay early.
How many cars will be affected?
Transport for London (TfL) says that nine out of the 10 cars that currently drive in the outer part of London already meet the ULEZ emissions standards, so they won’t be liable to pay the daily charge.
However, figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) which were obtained by the RAC show that 691,559 cars in the whole of London are ‘unlikely’ to meet the standards so they’ll be liable for the charge.
Do I need to pay the ULEZ charge if my car is parked?
No. If your vehicle is stationary - but inside the ULEZ - then you won’t have to pay the charge. This includes areas such as Heathrow, so if you leave your vehicle in a parking area at the airport you won’t have to pay for each day it’s sat stationary.
However, if you move your car, you’ll need to pay the ULEZ charge provided your vehicle isn’t compliant.
