The London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding to include all London boroughs from 29 August 2023. ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, except Christmas Day. If you drive a vehicle that doesn’t meet the emissions standards inside the ULEZ, the daily charge is £12.50. This includes residents of the ULEZ unless you leave your car parked and undriven. Check here if you live or work inside the expanded light green ULEZ.
The ULEZ standards are:
- Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans and minibuses
- Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses
You can find your Euro emission standard on your V5C (logbook) in section D2 unless your logbook was issued before September 2018. You can also check online with your numberplate here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
Will your car meet the emissions standards?
If you have a petrol car that was manufactured after 2005 it will probably meet the ULEZ standard. However, if you have a diesel car that was first registered before September 2015, the chances are that it will not meet the ULEZ standards. You will need to either pay the daily driving charge from August or change to a lower emission or electric car.
Different EV options
If your motor is a VW Golf Mk 6 2.0 TDi and you do 8,000 miles/year you might love a VW ID.3. The benefits of switching would be:
- £1k a year saving on fuel (at the electricity price cap of 34p/kWh – even greater savings if you are able to charge more cheaply at home or during the night)
- Only needs a service every other year at a cost of £240, with rarely anything extra to pay (no cam belt, water pump or exhaust systems to maintain)
- No road tax to pay until 2025 (and then at the standard rate which is currently £165/year)
- Great range of around 215 realworld miles and so wouldn’t need charging every day
- More spacious than the Golf with a premium, modern, minimalist interior
Like all electric cars, the driving experience is superb with instant torque and acceleration. The cost to switch to a VW ID.3 will start from £500/month on a PCP (depending on your deposit and the model you go for) which matches the fuel and ULEZ costs of keeping your Golf.
If you need something bigger – for example you’re currently driving a BMW X5 – then the Audi Q4 or the Ford Mustang would be ideal replacements. If you have no off-street parking and will be relying on public charging, then the ultra-efficient, big battery Hyundai Kona electric would be perfect (great parking aids too). Or if it is tech and comfort that is important, it is hard to beat the value offered by a Nissan Leaf.
The Mayor of London’s aim is to improve air quality for everyone’s health. Our aim is to find the right electric car for you and your lifestyle. Call to test drive today!