Expansion of the ULEZ in 2023
Starting from August 29, 2023, will see the expansion of the ULEZ. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is set to expand beyond the current Central London boundary to include the North and South Circular roads. This means that vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ emission standards will have to pay a daily charge to drive within the zone.
About the ULEZ expansion 2023
The ULEZ expansion is part of the Mayor of London’s plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions. The ULEZ standards require vehicles to meet certain emission standards or pay a daily charge to enter the zone. Currently, the ULEZ charges apply to most vehicles that do not meet the Euro 4 emission standards for petrol vehicles or the Euro 6 standards for diesel vehicles.
The expansion of the ULEZ will mean that the zone will cover an area 18 times larger than the current zone, and it is estimated that the expansion will affect around 3.8 million people who live within the expanded zone. The aim of the expansion is to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and particulate matter (PM) in the air, which are linked to respiratory problems and other health issues.
The ULEZ expansion is expected to have a significant impact on drivers who do not meet the emission standards. The daily charge for non-compliant vehicles will be £12.50, which is in addition to the existing congestion charge. This means that drivers of older, more polluting vehicles will face higher charges to drive within the ULEZ.
The ULEZ expansion has received mixed reactions from the public. While some people support the measure as a way to reduce air pollution, others are concerned about the impact on businesses and individuals who cannot afford to upgrade their vehicles to meet the new standards. Woozle.blog is concerned about low income earners not having enough money to upgrade to a complinat car based on the challenges we undertook.
woozle.blog challenge to find a ULEZ
compliant car for under £1000
In February 2023 woozle.blog undertook a challenge to try and find a ULEZ compliant car under £1,000 with less than 100,000 miles on the clock from a garage with no faults.(Spoiler: it was extremely difficult1) Read here to find out more. To find out if your car is compliant go the the TFL ULEZ checker.
Assistance to drivers in the expansion of the ULEZ
To help drivers and businesses transition to the new ULEZ standards, the Mayor of London has introduced a range of support measures, including scrappage schemes and funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
In conclusion, the ULEZ expansion in 2023 is a significant step towards reducing air pollution in London. While it may have a significant impact on drivers and businesses, it is an important measure to improve air quality and protect public health. The Mayor of London’s support measures are designed to help drivers and businesses transition to the new standards, and it is hoped that the ULEZ expansion will encourage more people to switch to low-emission vehicles.
