Ultra Low Emissions Update

The new Ultra Low Emissions regulations start on 8th April 2019. This only affects Central London, basically the west End and city areas covered by the Congestion charge zone. The Ultra Low Emissions Charge operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

From October 2021 the Low Emissions Charge zone is extended to the North and South Circular Roads

It is very easy to check your car or van.

Just go to the TFL website and search Low Emissions Charge, and enter your car registration, and it will tell you if your vehicle is exempt.

Electric cars are close to zero rating for emissions.

Diesel cars must be Euro 6 (emissions levels) from October 2021. They must be Euro 6 to be exempt from the ULEZ charges.

Petrol cars must be Euro 4 (emissions level). This is less strict than the diesel cars. Diesel cars will be phased out in the next 10-15 years.

It is also likely that petrol cars will slowly be phased out over the next 20-30 years.

The emissions, or carbon footprint for gas and electric cars is not so different from petrol vehicles. There are a number of advantages of reduced road tax and other concessions for electric vehicles. Parking permits and parking charges are now set lower for electric vehicles than for petrol cars. In Islington DIESEL VEHICLES INCUR HIGHER PARKING CHARGES AT ALL TIMES.

Hybrid vehicles are Euro 6 so will be exempt from any extra charges (apart from Central London Congestion charge)

Petrol cars

As a rough guide all petrol cars from 2006 (possibly 2003 dependant on vehicle) or newer, are exempt from the Ultra Low Emissions Charge. These cars have Euro 4 engines or better. Euro 4 is an emissions measurement.

If you are not sure you can visit the TFL website and simply enter you car registration to check your vehicle.

This only applies to the central congestion area from 8th April 2019,

In 2021 the area is scheduled to stretch out to the North and South Circular roads.

Diesel cars

Diesel cars must be Euro 6 engines. These have only been available from 2012, and all diesel cars from 2015 have been fitted with Euro 6 engines.

If you are not sure you can visit the TFL website and simply enter you car registration to check your vehicle.

Motor cycles

These must have Euro 3 engines or newer.

If you are not sure you can visit the TFL website and simply enter you car registration to check your vehicle.