Today, we start a new series of bonus articles which are not about specific vehicles, but motoring related topics. The first of these is something I get asked about all the time: the London Ultra Low Emission Zone. What does that mean for all of us?
Back in 2003, London was one of the first places in the world to charge for entering a city centre, during a specific period, and have an automatic camera system for detecting vehicles entering and exiting the area. Despite an attempt to enlarge the charging area when it was expanded between 2008 and 2011 in a westerly direction, today's Congestion Charge Zone is the same size as it was 15 years ago. The only change since the original boundaries were restored in 2011 has been the introduction of an extra charge (known as the "T-charge") for vehicles registered before 2006, which mainly affects private motorists.
As most of you will know, the Congestion Charge (and T-charge) only applies between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and there are many categories of vehicle which are exempt, such as electric vehicles and motorcycles. This is why Saturdays and Sundays can be quite crazy on the roads around Central London! The charges currently range from £11.50 for a "normal" car entering during the hours of operation to £21.50 for an older vehicle (say, a 1998 Mazda 626, such as the one I used to own) entering during the same period. This is pretty straightforward so far, or at least I hope so, but it is about to get much more complex.
From April 2019, the current Congestion Charge Zone will stay, but an extra charge will be levied 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the same area for vehicles not meeting even stricter standards than this. This is known as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The current Congestion Charge Zone continues as usual, with the same charges, but the ULEZ adds extra restrictions on top of this.
Whereas only very old cars and vans have had to pay an extra charge on top of the standard Congestion Charge, now many more, even some under four years old, will be affected. The ULEZ charges will be there for petrol and diesel cars before 2006 (as per the T-Charge), but will also extend to diesel cars before September 2015, which are those from before the Euro VI emission standards came into force. This means that even modern, low tax cars such as the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel I used to own will have to pay £12 per day on top of what of whatever the standard Congestion Charge is. For example, this would mean £23.50 per day between the hours of 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and £12 per day at all other times. No wonder the value of diesel cars is plummeting at the moment!
From October 2021, this gets even worse. The Congestion Charge Zone once again stays the same, but the ULEZ boundaries now switch from the normal area to the whole of the North and South Circular. This means that whenever someone drives into the area in a petrol car or van before 2006 or a diesel car before September 2015, they will have to pay £12 per day at any time.
The value of petrol cars from 2006 onwards is currently skyrocketing, whereas the value of diesels between 2006 and 2015 is in freefall. Those who chose petrol during those years when the government was encouraging us to switch to diesels which produce lower carbon dioxide emissions with amazing annual tax rates are feeling smug, but others have been caught out.
My advice to all those planning on driving anywhere near London in the future is to stick to diesel cars after September 2015 or petrol cars after 2006. Or, indeed, buy an electric or hybrid car! I have already helped many people find their perfect vehicle over the last year to get round these regulations, and so please contact me if you are wanting to switch your car to something compliant with the new legislation.
This article on moneysavingexpert.com explains the changes in nice chart, and I have attached an image with boundaries of the two zones as well:
