World’s first Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will operate from 8 April 2019 in Central London
More than 100,000 people across London will no longer live in areas exceeding the NO2 limits thanks to early introduction
24-hour ULEZ will replace the T-Charge, tightening standards and affecting up to 60,000 vehicles a day
NOx road transport emissions in central London estimated to fall by an additional 20 per cent in 2019
The Mayor of London today announced plans for the next major stage of his hard-hitting measures to help tackle London’s lethal air pollution and dramatically reduce harmful emissions from up to 60,000 vehicles daily – with the early introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London from 8th April 2019.
Last month Sadiq introduced the new Toxicity Charge (T-Charge) in central London to help deter the use of older more polluting vehicles, and encourage walking or cycling, or using public transport, in the build up to the ULEZ.
From April 2019 the ULEZ will replace the T-Charge and operate in the same area, alongside the congestion charge but (unlike the T-Charge and Congestion Charge, which are only in place on weekdays) it will operate 24 hours a days, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
There will also be two ULEZ charge levels: £12.50 a day for cars, vans and motorbikes and £100 a day for lorries, buses and coaches. These charges will be in addition to the Congestion Charge (C-Charge), so the more polluting cars and vans would pay £24 per day and lorries would pay £111.50 during C-Charge hours.
All revenue raised will be used by Transport for London to help maintain a greener transport fleet and reduce pollution across the transport network.
ULEZ will also affect thousands more vehicles, up to 60,000 every day, compared to the estimated 6,500 a day affected by the T-Charge. Diesel vehicles that do not meet the Euro 6 standards and most petrol vehicles that do not meet the Euro 4 standard will have to take action or pay.
Broadly, a four-year-old or newer diesel car will meet the requirement in 2019 when the scheme comes into force, making the ULEZ the tightest emission standard adopted in the world.
The Mayor is doing everything in his power to clean up London’s filthy air and as well as bringing in the ULEZ a year earlier than previously planned, Sadiq has expanded the ULEZ standards to include a particulate matter standard after recent health data revealed that every part of London exceeds World Health Organization recommended air quality guidelines for PM2.5.
He has also decided that TfL buses – especially the New Routemaster bus – should meet the same Euro 6 requirement as other heavy vehicles and private buses from April 2019.
Road transport emissions in central London are expected to reduce by an additional 20 per cent in 2019 as a result of the early introduction of the ULEZ. This includes:
NOx emissions from HGVs are expected to reduce by nearly 50 per cent.
Coach and non-TfL bus emissions will reduce by more than a third.
Emissions from cars and vans are expected to reduce by eight and 12 per cent respectively (it should be noted that while the reduction in emissions is smaller than for larger vehicles, their savings make up nearly one-third of the emissions reductions in central London).
More than 30,000 people in central London (a 40 per cent reduction), and 100,000 people across London, will no longer live in areas exceeding the NO2 limits.
19 schools in central London and 42 schools across London will no longer be in areas exceeding legal limits in 2019 as a result.
The ULEZ benefits should be even greater by 2020 with an estimated 45 per cent reduction in road transport emissions.
More than 18,000 Londoners responded to the Mayor’s public consultation on ULEZ, with nearly 60 per cent (11,041) strongly supporting the principle of ULEZ, and 63 per cent (11,383) supporting or strongly supporting earlier implementation.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “London’s lethal air is one of the biggest health challenges of this generation. We can’t continue breathing in air so toxic it harms children’s lung development and causes chronic illness and premature death. I am determined to take the bold action needed to address this scourge once and for all.
“So I am pleased to confirm that from 8th April 2019 – 17 months earlier than planned – stricter standards for diesel vehicles will apply 24/7 across central London. This builds on the success of the T-Charge and is part of my comprehensive plan to clean London’s air.”
“I’ve taken the bold action we need to protect our children, but we now urgently need the Government to step up and provide the support to Londoners and businesses required to help them meet these crucial standards.”
It is anticipated that behaviour change, similar to that seen following the T-Charge announcement where the number of motorists with older vehicles driving into the zone dropped significantly after the Mayor announced his plans, will mean some motorists will decide over the next 18 months to replace their vehicles with less polluting models which are not liable for the charge. Alternatively, they may decide to walk, cycle or use public transport.
Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, Dr Penny Woods, said: "Air pollution on many of London’s roads is at illegal and harmful levels. This is why we strongly support the early implementation of the ULEZ. Air pollution leaves people coughing, breathless and at risk of long term health concerns. For those with lung conditions it could leave them completely housebound to avoid the worsening of their health.
“Early implementation of the ULEZ could dramatically improve people’s quality of life and reduce the burden on health services. However, further and faster action from the government is still needed. Traffic is the major cause of filthy air. A targeted scrappage scheme is needed to help people move to cleaner vehicles. This must prioritise people on low incomes and those with health conditions who find it hardest to get around.”
The ULEZ and T-Charge are just some of the ambitious hard-hitting measures the Mayor is introducing to improve London’s toxic air quality – he is developing proposals for a London-wide Euro 6 standard for buses, coaches and lorries in 2020 and expanding the area of the ULEZ for all vehicles (including, cars, vans and motorcycles) up to the North/South Circular roads in 2021. A consultation will start later this year.
TfL’s Director for City Planning, Alex Williams, said: “We are moving quickly to implement the Mayor’s bold proposals to improve air quality in the Capital. Bringing forward the introduction of the central London ULEZ was popular with the public in the consultation and will be pivotal in dramatically reducing harmful emissions. It also gives drivers and businesses the certainty they need when deciding to buy new vehicles, as well as being a catalyst for people to make more sustainable travel choices.
Greenpeace Clean Air Campaigner, Rosie Rogers, said: “Following the introduction of the T-Charge last month, it’s good to see the Mayor pushing forward with the next step of his plan to restrict diesel cars in central London. It will make a big difference to air pollution, which contributes to serious health problems for so many people in the capital.
“Now diesel is being rejected not only by consumers, with sales dropping for six consecutive months, but by cities too. When will car companies embrace the fact that investing in electric vehicles is the only way forward and the only responsible thing to do? Continuing to invest in diesel is outdated and dangerous. It needs to stop now.”
The Mayor has also called on the Government to put in place a national vehicle scrappage scheme to help people replace vehicles affected by the proposals or switch to cleaner alternatives. There was overwhelming support for this in the first round of his consultation. He also wants fiscal incentives, like vehicle excise duty, to be reformed so they support his proposals and encourage people to own and use the cleanest vehicles.