Chris Sykes, National Sales Manager at Moneybarn, explains everything you need to know about the new Ultra Low Emission Zone
From April 8th, 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London will launch. The ULEZ is central to the Mayor of London’s plans to improve the health of those in the capital by reducing rising air pollution levels. Most vehicles in the ULEZ will need to meet new, tighter emission standards or pay a daily charge to travel within the area.
Moneybarn has put together a guide on everything LCV drivers need to know before the new zone is launched.
What will change?
When the Ultra Low Emission Zone first comes into effect, it will initially cover the existing congestion charge zone in Central London, however, it’ll operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The area covered by the ULEZ will be clearly signposted with road signs showing where it begins and ends. Cameras will be in use to automatically register vehicle number plates entering the zone, checking them against the TfL database to see if they meet the ULEZ emission standards.
All vehicles, including light commercial vehicles (LCVs), who don’t meet the standards will be made to pay the daily ULEZ charge. This will be in addition to the weekday Congestion Charge. From 25th October 2021, the zone will expand to an area bounded by the north and south circular roads.
Setting a new standard
The ULEZ will be enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle, rather than its age.
Vehicles included in the new emission standards are as follows:
• Small vans (weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight)
• Larger vans, 4×4 light utility vehicles and pickups (over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
The new minimum emission standards are:
• Petrol: Euro 4
• Diesel: Euro 6
If your van is compliant to the current Low Emission Zone, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will meet the new ULEZ standards. You can check your vehicle registration document to see your vehicle’s Euro emissions standard or NOx emissions. If these aren’t listed, you can use the TfL tool to help you find out.
What are the costs?
You’ll only have to pay charges if your LCV does not meet the new ULEZ exhaust emission standards, totalling £12.50 per day, plus the £11.50 congestion charge if you enter the city centre Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm. Failure to pay will result in a £160 fine, but this will be reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
If your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charges and payments, it’s vital you remember the daily charges run from midnight to midnight. If you’re driving in a ULEZ before midnight – from 11pm for example – but don’t finish driving until 3am, you’ll be charged for 2 days’ worth of driving in an Ultra Low Emission Zone.
If your vehicle is parked in a ULEZ but not being driven, you will not be subject to any charges during this time. For those who currently live within the ULEZ and are worried about racking up a hefty fine, residents will receive a full discount on the charges until 24th October 2021, giving you over two years to invest in a compliant model.
A helping hand
At the end of 2018, the Mayor of London announced a £23m scrappage scheme for businesses with 10 or less employees to switch to cleaner vehicles.
Under the City Hall scheme, funding will be available to scrap vans that do not comply with the new ULEZ standards, but which are driven into the zone regularly. The aim is to help thousands of micro-business owners update their vehicles to meet the new emission standards and avoid paying the ULEZ daily charge.
Under the scheme, micro-businesses will receive up to £6,000 to buy an electric van and £3,500 to help buy a new, cleaner-emission van. The scrappage scheme is now available (since 22 February 2019), so businesses can claim against any new purchases to help them align with the new emission standards.
What about Brexit?
With the UK set to leave the EU before the ULEZ comes into play, what will it mean for the Euro standards each vehicle will be held accountable against?
TfL have confirmed the new regulations won’t be changed any time soon. There won’t be any changes to the emission standards and vehicle manufacturers will continue to hold EU classifications as a measuring stick against which to build new models.
In short, drivers with a new model in mind can go ahead with the purchase under the current government guidelines, with EU standards set to be maintained post-Brexit.
For more information on the Ultra Low Emmission Zone (ULEZ) visit tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone
