Like the zone for London's Congestion Charge, the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is an area of Central London that drivers pay to travel into and through. Only those drivers of ultra-low emission vehicles that meet specific emissions standards will be exempt from paying these daily fees. The ULEZ replaces the "T-Charge" (officially known as the Emissions Surcharge) in the Congestion Charge zone up to 8th April 2019.
The ULEZ for Central London will be in operation from 8th April, covering the same area as the Congestion Charge Zone, and from 25th October 2021 the ULEZ area will enlarge to include the inner London area bounded by the North and South Circular Roads.
Entering the ULEZ costs £12.50 per day at all times. The penalty charge for not paying the daily fee is £160, although this is reduced to £80 if it's paid within 14 days. These can be paid automatically, online, through an app or over the phone.
The ULEZ is being used as part of the Government's long-term strategy to improve air quality across the country by discouraging the use of older, more polluting, vehicles so that the UK avoids exceeding legal limits for air pollution and improves people's health. Other, similar, zones are increasingly likely to be seen in other cities across the UK (Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton are also planning Clean Air Zones).
Petrol-powered cars, vans (small and large), minibuses and some other specialist vehicles of or above Euro 4 emissions standards and the same vehicles driven by diesel of or above Euro 6 emissions standards are exempt from paying the ULEZ charge of £12.50 per day.
Euro 4 has been mandatory for all new cars since 2005 and Euro 6 has been mandatory for all cars and light commercial vehicles since September 2015. If you are unsure whether your vehicle meets the minimum emissions standards necessary to enter the ULEZ without being charged, you can
check on Transport for London's website.
If your current vehicle is not eligible to enter the ULEZ free of charge, you can easily upgrade to a vehicle that does with Ford. Not only have their new light commercial vehicles been Euro 6-compliant for several years now but Ford's power plants include ULEZ-friendly EcoBoost petrol engines and advanced EcoBlue diesel engines, plus upcoming vehicles that are plug-in hybrids, "mild hybrids", and fully electric.
For more information about ULEZ, emissions standards and Ford's commercial vehicle solutions, simply contact one of our convenient, local Allen Ford, Essex Ford or SMC Ford Transit Centre locations, including Basildon, Crayford and Slough & Uxbridge!