The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and TfL have launched a public consultation on an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London.
The proposals could see the introduction of the world’s first ULEZ in the capital on September 7, 2020, to significantly improve air quality.
The groundbreaking proposals would require all vehicles travelling within the congestion charge zone to meet new emission standards which would be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many vehicles would already meet these standards in 2020, however by introducing this requirement the mayor and TfL aim to accelerate the take up of low emission vehicles and stimulate the low emission vehicle market.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “Introducing the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone is an essential measure to improve London’s air quality and reduce NO2 . Safeguarding Londoners’ health and well-being is a top priority for my administration. I understand that people need adequate time to switch to greener vehicles and help is at hand for those who will be hardest hit, but let’s be clear, we need to make these important changes ASAP to continue to improve Londoners’ quality of life and give everyone who lives in or visits the city the cleanest possible air to breathe.”
The ULEZ proposals would require vehicles travelling in central London to meet the following emissions standards, or pay a daily charge: ·
- Large vans and minibuses – Euro 6 for diesel engines and Euro 4 for petrol engines. Non-compliant vehicles would be required to pay a daily charge of £12.50
- Heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches – Euro 6. Non- compliant vehicles would be required to pay a daily charge of £100; ·
As part of the ULEZ proposal, TfL is working to reduce emissions from its buses alongside taxis and private hire vehicles and to increase the number of zero emission capable vehicles. By 2020, all double-decker TfL buses operating in central London will be hybrid and all single deck buses will be zero emission (at point of use).
INFO
The ULEZ consultation, which runs until Friday, January 9, 2015, is available online at www.tfl.gov.uk/ultra-low-emission-zone
