Last week, London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, expanded the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) London-wide in a significant effort to make the City of London a greener and healthier place.
Every London borough will be covered by the new zone bringing cleaner air to five million more people with expectations to reduce carbon emissions by a further 27,000 tonnes in outer London.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London said: “This is a landmark day for our city which will lead to a greener, healthier London for every
one. The decision to expand the ULEZ London-wide was a difficult one, but necessary to save lives, protect children’s lungs and help prevent asthma, dementia and other health issues.”
The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year (except Christmas Day). Even if drivers make a short trip inside the zone using a vehicle that doesn't meet the ULEZ emissions standards, they need to pay the £12.50 daily charge. However, people don't need to pay the ULEZ charge if they are parked inside the zone and don't drive.
The ULEZ scrappage scheme is highly targeted at taking polluted vehicles off London roads. With the Mayor of London’s funding of 160 million aiding small businesses, sole traders, and charities to prepare for the expansion. Every Londoner with a non-compliant car or motorcycle is now eligible to apply for funding.
Over 14,000 applications have been approved to scrap the most polluted vehicles and tens of thousands are being processed and data shows that 9 out of 10 cars, and around 8 out of 10 vans, seen driving in outer London on an average day are already compliant.