Transport for London (TfL) has begun installing more than 300 Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) warning signs across Central London in advance of the new 24-hour zone starting in April next year.
TfL’s new signs, which are being installed at the same locations as existing Congestion Charge signs, warn drivers at all entry points to the zone, and on a number of key approach routes, to ensure their vehicle meets the tough new emission standards that come in to effect next year.
The agency has been running an extensive communications campaign since the spring to prepare drivers for the ULEZ. TfL has sent more than 2.5 million emails and contacted registered Congestion Charge users whose vehicles do not meet the ULEZ standards, to remind them the new zone begins on April 8, 2019.
TfL is also contacting other drivers it identifies in Central London whose vehicles are not currently ULEZ-compliant, which has so far helped encourage 1.3 million visits to its online compliance checker, where people can see if their vehicle complies with the ULEZ emission standards.
The ULEZ will help take the most polluting vehicles off London’s streets, and is a central part of the London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s work to make the UK capital a healthier, greener place by tackling the severe health impacts caused by its polluted air.
TfL is committed to ensuring that London’s transport is leading the way in ultra-low emission vehicles: all new electric taxis are required to be zero-emission capable; and the entire Central London bus fleet will be upgraded to meet the ULEZ standard by April 2019, with all London’s buses meeting this standard by 2020. Ultimately, all buses will be zero-emission by 2037.
To discourage the use of the most polluting vehicles, drivers traveling within the zone and using non-compliant vehicles, will need to pay a daily ULEZ charge of £12.50 (US$16), 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These include:
• Motorbikes that do not meet Euro 3 standards (roughly the equivalent of not being more than 12 years old in 2019);
• Petrol cars and vans that do not meet Euro 4 standards (roughly the equivalent of not being more than 13 years old in 2019);
• Diesel cars and vans that do not meet Euro 6 standards (roughly the equivalent of not being more than four years old in 2019);
• Buses, coaches and lorries will need to meet or exceed the Euro VI standard or pay £100 (US$127.37) a day.
“We are committed to tackling the public health crisis that is London’s toxic air. It affects all Londoners, causing 9,000 premature deaths every year and reducing the quality of life for thousands more,” explained Nick Fairholme, director of project and program delivery at TfL.
“We’re working hard to prepare Londoners for the ULEZ and to encourage them to opt for vehicles that emit fewer pollutants or walk, cycle or use public transport. These new signs will be a physical reminder that the ULEZ is coming, but we won’t stop there. We’ve contacted registered Congestion Charge users and are currently contacting other vehicle owners who drive in central London.”
