The controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone has been deemed an instant success after figures revealed that polluting vehicles entering the city dropped by 26% since the charges were introduced.

The zone came into force at the beginning of April and has already been credited with an increase of compliant vehicles entering the capital, up from 55,457 in March to 63,185 in April. Vehicles which don’t have to pay the charge now account for 70% of all traffic in London.
Non-exempt vehicles have to pay a daily charge of £12.50 on top of the existing London Congestion Charge, a move which some have criticised as penalising the poor, who cannot afford newer, compliant cars. The charge is also hitting smaller to medium businesses such as hauliers and coach operators, many of whom have to pay an increased £100 per day dependent on the weight of their vehicle.
But Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn is already hailing the impact: “Just one month after launching the world’s first ULEZ, leading the way for cities around the globe, we have already seen a significant impact on the types of vehicles driving in the centre of our capital and polluting our air.

“It’s early days, but it’s great to see Londoners and businesses are doing their bit to make a difference, with nearly three quarters of the vehicles driving into central London each day now meeting the standards required to turn around this public health crisis.”

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