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Car finance ›
ULEZ expansion: what does this mean for you?
Updated: Wednesday, 4 October 2023
In April 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was implemented in central London and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except Christmas Day. Between April 2019 and 25 October 2021, the ULEZ covered the same area as the Congestion Zone, also found in London, by placing a charge on vehicles entering the zone that aren’t ULEZ compliant. Simply put it means these vehicles don’t meet the low emission requirements of the area.
Since its later expansion into the north and south circular roads of London in late October 2021, the ULEZ area continues to grow. On August 29, 2023, the ULEZ was expanded again to cover all London boroughs, which means a lot more people are going to be effected by it.
In April 2019, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was implemented in central London and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except Christmas Day. Between April 2019 and 25 October 2021, the ULEZ covered the same area as the Congestion Zone, also found in London, by placing a charge on vehicles entering the zone that aren’t ULEZ compliant. Simply put it means these vehicles don’t meet the low emission requirements of the area.
Since its later expansion into the north and south circular roads of London in late October 2021, the ULEZ area continues to grow. On August 29, 2023, the ULEZ was expanded again to cover all London boroughs, which means a lot more people are going to be effected by it.
What is ULEZ?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is active 24/7 except for Christmas day. The ULEZ was put in place in April 2019 to help reduce the toxic air that Londoners were breathing daily. It was found that the pollution was increasing the risk of heart and lung disease as well as asthma, and with over 360 schools in the original ULEZ zone the UK government decided to do something to reduce the toxic levels. Which is when the ULEZ was created.
According to Transport for London, the ULEZ has already ‘helped to reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution by nearly half in central London’, and helped improve the air quality for 4 million citizens living in inner London. This expansion aims to futher help the 5 million citizens in the outer boroughs to breath cleaner air.
ULEZ Zone
The ULEZ will now cover every borough of London. This new expansion will more than double in total area. Below you will see the ULEZ map that shows exactly where this new zone will be.
Source: ULEZ, ULEZ map 2023
What is ULEZ?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is active 24/7 except for Christmas day. The ULEZ was put in place in April 2019 to help reduce the toxic air that Londoners were breathing daily. It was found that the pollution was increasing the risk of heart and lung disease as well as asthma, and with over 360 schools in the original ULEZ zone the UK government decided to do something to reduce the toxic levels. Which is when the ULEZ was created.
According to Transport for London, the ULEZ has already ‘helped to reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution by nearly half in central London’, and helped improve the air quality for 4 million citizens living in inner London. This expansion aims to futher help the 5 million citizens in the outer boroughs to breath cleaner air.
ULEZ Zone
The ULEZ will now cover every borough of London. This new expansion will more than double in total area. Below you will see the ULEZ map that shows exactly where this new zone will be.
Source: ULEZ, ULEZ map 2023
What is ULEZ compliant?
This means that many with a certain type of vehicle will have to pay at least £12.50 to use their vehicle. This change leaves many with uncertainty of what to do if their vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ requirements. To find out if your vehicle is compliant, please check on the gov.uk website.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
If your vehicle is not ULEZ compliant and you drive through the ULEZ zone, then you could be charged £12.50 per day. This mainly includes cars, vans and motorbikes. If you don’t pay the ULEZ charge the day you entered it, you could face a penalty charge of £180 (previously £160). This will however be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days of driving through the zone.
With the ULEZ zone expanding so much it’s becoming a worry for many that they will have to drive through the zone daily to go about their business. Meaning they could pay £87.50 a week just to drive their vehicle in the ULEZ zone. If you know you’ll be travelling through the ULEZ zone regularly then to avoid a potential penalty fee, we’d advise you set up a direct debit, or change your vehicle to a ULEZ compliant model.
What is ULEZ compliant?
This means that many with a certain type of vehicle will have to pay at least £12.50 to use their vehicle. This change leaves many with uncertainty of what to do if their vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ requirements. To find out if your vehicle is compliant, please check on the gov.uk website.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
If your vehicle is not ULEZ compliant and you drive through the ULEZ zone, then you could be charged £12.50 per day. This mainly includes cars, vans and motorbikes. If you don’t pay the ULEZ charge the day you entered it, you could face a penalty charge of £180 (previously £160). This will however be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days of driving through the zone.
With the ULEZ zone expanding so much it’s becoming a worry for many that they will have to drive through the zone daily to go about their business. Meaning they could pay £87.50 a week just to drive their vehicle in the ULEZ zone. If you know you’ll be travelling through the ULEZ zone regularly then to avoid a potential penalty fee, we’d advise you set up a direct debit, or change your vehicle to a ULEZ compliant model.
Is my car ULEZ compliant?
Is my car ULEZ compliant?
Any car will need to meet the minimum ULEZ emission standards to travel in the zone or the driver will be subjected to a daily £12.50 charge.
Here you can find the minimum emission standards set out by the government. They are based on the declared emissions of the car rather than it’s age and are as follows:
Petrol cars: Euro 4
Petrol cars that are either Euro 4 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, tend to have been registered after 2005. Please use the gov.uk ULEZ car check to see if your car is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Diesel cars: Euro 6
Diesel cars that are either Euro 6 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, tend to have been registered after September 2015. Which is why you may find yourself more likely to be affected if you have a diesel car, as there are many still on the road registered after 2015. Please check your vehicle on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Any car will need to meet the minimum ULEZ emission standards to travel in the zone or the driver will be subjected to a daily £12.50 charge.
Here you can find the minimum emission standards set out by the government. They are based on the declared emissions of the car rather than it’s age and are as follows:
Petrol cars: Euro 4
Petrol cars that are either Euro 4 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, tend to have been registered after 2005. Please use the gov.uk ULEZ car check to see if your car is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Diesel cars: Euro 6
Diesel cars that are either Euro 6 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, tend to have been registered after September 2015. Which is why you may find yourself more likely to be affected if you have a diesel car, as there are many still on the road registered after 2015. Please check your vehicle on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Is my van ULEZ compliant?
Is my van ULEZ compliant?
If your van fits into any of the following 4 categories then this information will apply to you, and you could end up having to pay a daily £12.50 ULEZ charge:
- Small vans (weighing up to and including 1,205 tonnes unladen weight)
- Larger vans, 4×4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, pickups (over 1,205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
- Ambulances and motorcaravans (2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes)
- Minibuses (more than 9 passenger seats, not over 5 tonnes)
Here you can find the minimum emission standards set out by the government. They are based on the declared emissions of the van rather than it’s age and are as follows:
Petrol vans: Euro 4
Petrol vans that are either Euro 4 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, will have been registered from January 2006. Please check your van on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Diesel vans: Euro 6
Diesel vans that are either Euro 6 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, will have been registered from September 2016. Please check your van on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
If your van fits into any of the following 4 categories then this information will apply to you, and you could end up having to pay a daily £12.50 ULEZ charge:
- Small vans (weighing up to and including 1,205 tonnes unladen weight)
- Larger vans, 4×4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, pickups (over 1,205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
- Ambulances and motorcaravans (2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes)
- Minibuses (more than 9 passenger seats, not over 5 tonnes)
Here you can find the minimum emission standards set out by the government. They are based on the declared emissions of the van rather than it’s age and are as follows:
Petrol vans: Euro 4
Petrol vans that are either Euro 4 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, will have been registered from January 2006. Please check your van on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Diesel vans: Euro 6
Diesel vans that are either Euro 6 or above, and therefore meet the ULEZ standards, will have been registered from September 2016. Please check your van on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
Is my motorbike ULEZ compliant?
Is my motorbike ULEZ compliant?
If your motorbike fits into any of the following categories then this information will apply to you, and you could end up having to pay a daily £12.50 ULEZ charge:
- Motorcycles (motorbikes)
- Mopeds
- Motorised tricycles
- Quadricycles (L-category)
Here you can find the minimum emission standards set out by the government. They are based on the declared emissions of the motorbike rather than it’s age, and all motorbikes or mopeds will need to meet Euro 3 emissions standards to be ULEZ compliant.
Generally speaking, this means if your vehicle was registered before July 2007 then it will not be ULEZ compliant. Â
Please check your motorbike or moped on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
If your motorbike fits into any of the following categories then this information will apply to you, and you could end up having to pay a daily £12.50 ULEZ charge:
- Motorcycles (motorbikes)
- Mopeds
- Motorised tricycles
- Quadricycles (L-category)
Here you can find the minimum emission standards set out by the government. They are based on the declared emissions of the motorbike rather than it’s age, and all motorbikes or mopeds will need to meet Euro 3 emissions standards to be ULEZ compliant.
Generally speaking, this means if your vehicle was registered before July 2007 then it will not be ULEZ compliant. Â
Please check your motorbike or moped on gov.uk to see if it is compliant. You can also check your V5C which will give you the information you need to know.
What can I do if I have a non-compliant vehicle?
What can I do if I have a non-compliant vehicle?
Luckily there are many ways you can get about London easily with trains, tubes, buses and bikes that are all relatively cheap. But if you have a non-compliant ULEZ vehicle already, that doesn’t really help.
The Mayor of London has put in a scrappage scheme. If you own a motorbike or a car, then you can scrap them and receive the following payments:
- £1,000 to scrap a motorbike or moped (below Euro 5 standard)
- £2,000 to scrap a petrol car (below Euro 4 standard
- £2,000 to scrap a diesel car (below Euro 6 standard)
Although this is a great idea for those with cars that aren’t worth as much and are owned outright, it doesn’t help you if you have vehicle finance.
If you live in one of London’s 32 boroughs affected by the ULEZ zone expansion, or just need to travel through the zone regularly, then you could also consider changing to a hybrid car or an electric car on finance, as these vehicle types are accepted in the ULEZ zone.
If you want to know how to drive more efficiently, check out our fuel saving tips.
Luckily there are many ways you can get about London easily with trains, tubes, buses and bikes that are all relatively cheap. But if you have a non-compliant ULEZ vehicle already, that doesn’t really help.
The Mayor of London has put in a scrappage scheme. If you own a motorbike or a car, then you can scrap them and receive the following payments:
- £1,000 to scrap a motorbike or moped (below Euro 5 standard)
- £2,000 to scrap a petrol car (below Euro 4 standard
- £2,000 to scrap a diesel car (below Euro 6 standard)
Although this is a great idea for those with cars that aren’t worth as much and are owned outright, it doesn’t help you if you have vehicle finance.
If you live in one of London’s 32 boroughs affected by the ULEZ zone expansion, or just need to travel through the zone regularly, then you could also consider changing to a hybrid car or an electric car on finance, as these vehicle types are accepted in the ULEZ zone.
If you want to know how to drive more efficiently, check out our fuel saving tips.
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
Moneybarn is the trading style of Moneybarn No. 1 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04496573, and Moneybarn Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 02766324. The registered address for these companies is: Athena House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LJ.
Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
