Central London’s new Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) has gone live in a move designed to improve air quality in the capital.
The scheme replaces the T-Charge and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year alongside the London Congestion Charge.
It means vehicles that does not meet the new emission standard (petrol vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 standards and diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro 6) will have to pay a daily charge – £12.50 for cars and vans and £100 for lorries, buses and coaches.
However, figures from City Hall show that more than 60% of all vehicles driving through the charing zone in March were already compliant with the new restrictions and therefore faced no additional charges.
It was also revealed this week that the ULEZ zone will be expanded to the north and south circular roads by 2021.
Meanwhile, a survey by Nissan revealed some support for the scheme which was introduced on Monday.
The survey found that only one in three were aware that ULEZ went live this week and 75% had no idea what the Euro emission standard rating was for their current vehicle.
Similarly, despite 60% of respondents being willing to purchase an electric vehicle, only a quarter of respondents were aware of the financial incentives available to help them do so. This contrasts with the 43% that said they were more likely to make the move to electric as a result of financial incentives.
