The Expansion Of ULEZ Is Coming
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a new pollution control zone that was introduced by the city in 2019. This new charge is applicable to most petrol and diesel cars registered after September 2015, and most of those cars have a lower CO2 emissions level. According to Transport for London, around 130,000 vehicles still do not meet the standards of the new zone. This new charge is part of the city’s plan to make the capital greener and combat climate change and air pollution. Mayor Sadiq Khan, for one, suffers from adult-onset asthma and is very concerned with air pollution. Children grow up with stunted lungs and 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year from toxic air.
Why has ULEZ been implemented?
The ULEZ is an important step towards the Mayor’s climate emergency ambitions, and will set the city on the road to becoming a net-zero carbon city by 2030. ULEZ is also about social justice, as the poorest Londoners are those least likely to own a car. Toxic air pollution is a particular concern for people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and this is why it is so important to reduce emissions by changing cars.
When will ULEZ be in operation?
The ULEZ operates between midnight, and vehicles must be Euro 3 or above. The ULEZ zone is enforced by cameras, which read the number plates and detect cars that meet the emissions standards. Drivers can choose to pay the congestion charge in advance or on the day of travel. The charge is also applicable to electric cars. If you are concerned about the costs of running your car on a higher octane, consider buying a hybrid vehicle or an electric car instead.
As of now, the ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. In addition to the ULEZ, the Congestion Charge also works. There are alternative modes of transport, such as cycling, walking, and public transport, that could help avoid congestion and pollution. In addition, drivers should use a satnav to avoid local charge zones. There are many other restrictions in the ULEZ zone, but this has proved to be an effective tool in reducing congestion and saving money.
When will ULEZ start?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone will be implemented in Central London on 25 October 2021. The ULEZ is a new charging system for cars that do not meet the Euro emission standards. You can check your vehicle here. The revenue generated by the scheme will go towards improving the public transport system. It’s an ambitious plan, but the city is committing to making the change in a sensible way. In the meantime, motorists will have to find alternative ways to get around the city.
The ULEZ is an emissions reduction zone. It works by limiting the emissions of older, dirtier vehicles. By restricting these vehicles, the ULEZ aims to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels in the atmosphere by 30%. Aside from limiting the use of old vehicles, the ULEZ has also increased the number of black cabs in central London. Approximately 21,000 black cabs produce 16% of the transport NOx.
Which parts of London will ULEZ cover?
The ULEZ is part of a package of measures to tackle pollution in the capital. To start, the GLA has identified 12 pollution hotspots in the city, and replaced many of its older buses with newer, cleaner ones. The aim is to replace the entire bus fleet by 2020. The GLA has also invested in expanding the electric bus fleet, and rolled out thousands of electric taxis and vehicle charging infrastructure.
The ULEZ has been expanded to include North Circular Road and South Circular Road (including Catford and Lewisham). It has also been extended to cover the western parts of the London Borough of Redbridge. Its boundary area also includes Kew Bridge. Despite its recent expansion, the ULEZ is still in Central London. And it is likely to grow even further. It will become an increasingly popular part of the city, especially in the future.
If you would like more information regarding ULEZ, feel free to contact us for more information.
